This past Sunday, Jean and I returned to her home place in in Ashland, MS. The farmhouse, though it was vacant, was full of all those things we collect on life’s journey. The more you look, the bigger the responsibility gets to clean out the house. Even though much has been hauled away, there is much that still remains. With each picture, vase, pot, pan, skillet, book, and record comes a memory.

From where did all this come? How old is this? Why did mother keep so much junk? It is interesting that junk to you and I may be a treasure to someone else. In 2014, Jean’s mom went to the nursing home where her granddaughter was the director. Of that time her mind was pretty clear. Her body had failed and she couldn’t live by herself. She fought going to the nursing home all the way. In the early fall of 2014, Chris wrote a letter to encourage her and thank her for the many memories that he had of his grandparents. Somehow, this past Sunday, the letter was handed to me, I read it, and relived those experiences that Chris had.

Every time we go to the farm, I see an overflowing well in the yard. I first saw the well in 1965, then a good stream of water flowed as it still does today. This reminds me of just how faithful the Lord really is. Regardless of what is going on in my life and yours— He is always faithful. I do not understand all that is happening in America right now— but I do know that God is faithful. He is and will be King of Kings. Regardless of politics, rioting, looting, uncertainty, massive death, earthquakes, tornados, and drought, our God is faithful.

Because of His faithfulness, you and I should be found praising Him. In Psalm 109:30 we read, “I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yea, I will praise Him among the multitudes.” As we read Psalm 145:21, there is a reminder, “My mouth shall spread the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy Name for ever and ever.” Listen to this reminder in Revelation 4:11, “Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”