Reaching Out

January 29, 2023

Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
As I sit down to write this reflection, my heart is burdened and I am very sad.  You see, one of my friends died unexpectedly.
 
So now I sit back and ponder to myself, “Did I reach out enough?”  Isn’t it strange that while someone is alive, we all just kind of “take them for granted.”  We seldom look them in the eye and say things like, “I’m glad you are in my life.  Tell me what’s happening in your life.”
 
As I sift through my emotions about my friend, I even stumble across the thought, “What about the other people in my life?”  Those “other people” are people who enter into my life for a season, maybe for just a moment, and then vanish even as the night disappears at sunrise.  These “other people” sometimes help each of us live out our own lives.  I think of the waiter I recently met on a cruise.  Every night, he not only brought my family their meal, but he made them smile with his magic tricks.  Then there was Number Seven (the number on his jersey), whose name turned out to be Javon.  I spent an hour with him talking about Jesus.  I pray my witness one day is remembered and Javon will ask Jesus into his heart.  Then there was an airline clerk, frazzled to be sure, but she helped us check in and get us on our way.  Armona took time in the rush to bless her.  She said, “Thanks, I really needed that!”  The list goes on and on.  Do we even know the name of the clerk at our favorite grocery store we visit week after week?
 
To be sure, we all need to embrace and encourage our loved ones on a routine and regular basis, but we also need to pay attention to the “other people” in our lives.  Tomorrow just might be too late.
 
Trying to live my life without regrets…..

Pastor Allan
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PS: Remember your loved ones and remember the “other people” too!
 
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