Homecoming

Here we are in Kiamichi Kountry – deer capital of the world, the sign says. Just a small town (population just over 2,500), more that twice the size of the one that holds our current zip code. The entire town will be celebrating Homecoming, and high school classes will be celebrating their annual reunions. There will be a parade Saturday, and Beloved Husband will be in it.

This is the big one for his class – 50th anniversary of their high school graduation. There were just about 40 classmates in his senior class. Twenty-nine, along with assorted spouses and a teacher or two, will attend the two days of planned activities. Friday they decorate a float for the parade, there are two lunches and one dinner, too.

We created a participation certificate, framed and ready to present at Saturday’s luncheon. Memories will be exchanged and mostly likely thousands of digital photos shot. As in years past, a good time will be had by all.

It is good to walk the old paths, the ones with memories – the Bible tells us to do so:

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

Unfortunately – that’s not all there is to the verse. It continues, as so often the story of mankind:

But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)

So often the Bible tells us of God providing for His children, only to have them turn away from His word and walk their own paths. Solomon wrote it twice. For emphasis?

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25 KJV)

We know that Christ, though seeing us walk the ways that lead to death, would reach out to protect us, to enfold us, to bring us to Him:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37 KJV)

Would that we would heed His words. Would that we would, as the disciples did, marvel about Him:

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matthew 8:27 KJV)

Instead, we find: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Romans 10:16 KJV)