Traces
Since 1979 we have lived in a house that stands where an older house once stood. On this property that God has loaned us, we have found and continue to find many artifacts from the past. Broken plows, old tools, and pieces of ancient farm equipment often reveal themselves. (I find many of these with my lawn mower blades.) I once found a pocket knife that I did not lose and the other day I found what looks like a ladies’ wedding band. All of these things are simple traces of lives long gone.
All around where I live are places where houses once stood and families once lived. If I use my imagination, I can see these houses still standing and smell the smoke rising from their chimneys. Children play in the yard and trace chains rattle as daddy brings the mules in from the day’s plowing. The supper is on the table. You can almost smell the cornbread and pinto beans. These imaginary aromas are wafting traces of many yesterdays.
These houses are all gone now. But once they were filled with laughter and love. In these houses, babies were made and born and loved. Families gathered around the kitchen table, homemade Christmas gifts were exchanged, and Easter eggs were hunted. Life was hard, but life was good because God was honored. Now, an occasional collapsed chimney is the only trace of the warmth and love found in those old houses.
Traces of the past remind us that while years come and go the Lord’s word is firmly fixed in Heaven. While children will grow up and families will change, we know that God’s faithfulness is for all generations. The names never stay the same on the title deed, but God has established the earth and it stands firm.
My footprints are joining the many that have walked this ground before me. It won’t be long before I follow their footsteps into eternity. As I walk, I often pray that the traces I leave behind will guide future generations to the God I love.
From the Bible
“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”
Psalms 127:1-5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.127.1-5.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
