The Dash

February 9, 2025
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Sometimes it is fun to think of something weird, something that stretches my recollection and my imagination.  Whenever I do this in a spontaneous manner, sometimes it causes people to laugh.  At times, what I say is bizarre.  After one of my quips, one of my friends often says of me, “He's not quite right.”  I am perfectly fine with that compliment.  Why?  Because I like to keep people guessing and smiling😊
 
There are two momentous events in everyone's life, birth and death. The first, no one can remember, and the last, no one lives to talk about.  But, isn't it the story that lies between each of these events, that really matters?  The dash on the tombstone between date of birth and date of death screams out, “I was here!  Remember me!”  That is part of the reason I write these reflections.  So that you, and my children and grandchildren, might remember that I was here after I'm gone.  My prayer is that by my living, and later by my writings, you and they might remember my life.  And if along the way, I bring a smile to your face, I'm happy! 😊 But more importantly, if I bring salvation in Jesus Christ to your household, well then, I'm ecstatic!  It is then that the dash on my tombstone will have real meaning.
 
Whoa!  That is way too serious.  As to my first recollection, my first retained memory in life, it is at the age of four.  You see, I started kindergarten when I was four.  One day, Mom dressed me up as a pumpkin in flammable orange crepe paper for my kindergarten Halloween party.  We lived in the country and as I boarded the bus, I'm sure there was giggling from the older kids at the back of the bus.  There may have been some heckling, but that was not my major concern.  The bus driver was a smoker, and as he flicked the ash off his cigarette, my worry was that a spark off his cigarette, would ignite me into a burning pumpkin.  Picture it.  If that should have happened, the only thing that the dash on my tombstone may have meant was that he went out as a flaming pumpkin😊 
 
Of course, like everyone else, I won't be able to tell you of my last memory on earth.  However, even now as I live, I can tell you about my first memory in heaven.  It will be seeing Jesus face to face for the very first time and hearing Him say to me, “Well done good and faithful servant.  Welcome home!” 
 
Now, if I could only remember who I am...Oh yes.  See what I mean?  I like to keep you guessing and smiling.  
 
Pastor Allan
 
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