Of life and wine

Since monday evening I have been at my parents house packing of books and items for my up and coming move. It has been a simple week with very little activity but it has been a good time to sit and think. It is so often quiet in my house which makes it an ideal location to reminisce and relive so much of my young life. Twenty years I've lived in Farmington Hills, Michigan and fifteen of those years in my parents current home. So many times I driven these streets without a passing glance. Meaning comes quickly when time is short, however.

This time of thinking and remembering has been good for me. I can't help but think of the Psalmists during days like these. So many entries of the Psalter contain calls to remember the good things the hand of the Lord had done. God has been gracious in giving me so many things. His grace is made much of in days such as these because the memories brought to life with the passing streets and the small of the air remind me of so much of my sin - and his grace is greater still. There would be so much shame in this place were his grace not greater still. I can think only of the words of the immortal hymn, "Amazing Grace":

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already overcome
It was grace that led me safe thus far
And grace will bring me home

Days come and days go. Nothing gold can stay and Solomon was right to say "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecc 3:1). This chapter of my life is closing quickly. From this day forth the place which was once my home will be only my parent's home. I leave to establish myself in another place to await my beautiful bride. I have little confidence in the shape of coming days, but I know that God's grace will follow me. That grace will be, as it always has been, greater still.