The Passenger’s Log Stardate 25 August 2021
A New Day
The title of this Log is vastly different than it would have been had I written it ten or twelve hours ago. It is just about 0530hrs, the Starship GENESIS two-seven has been ‘moored’ (if you can moor things in space!) above Rocky Fork, a lush green expanse of land adjacent Salt Fork State Park near Newcomerstown, Ohio. For the last couple of days, The Passenger has been soaking in some solitude and spending time chewing. Yes, chewing. Chewing on certain verses in Scripture and on questions posed both to him and by him. I said at the beginning of the Voyage these posts would be honest, so please don’t expect they will always be light-hearted and positive. To quote a friend who recently succumbed to his battles with cancer, “sometimes it sucks.”
However, as I said, this post will not be what you would have read if I written yesterday. For, you see, today is a new day! Did you ever notice that God always gives us one every morning? It’s amazing. In about two hours the sun will come up and a new day will dawn. Last night I wasn’t so sure about it! But right now, I anxiously await it and I can feel it! Thank God for new days!
First, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my lovely bride of 42 years! My First Mate signed on this Voyage right away and has been by my side every minute. Thank God for my First Mate!
It seems like only yesterday we were anxiously awaiting this day to come around the first time. At other times it seems like that day is a world away! No matter, it is more about the journey than the years and I thank God for my journey-mate!
Next, Nasal Cannulas all around! My treat! (What a great segue!) The Oxygen has been delivered! It came while I was here so I’ll get my first blast later today!! Thank God for perseverance!
Now, about yesterday. My daily devotion centered on Mark 10:51 when Jesus asked the blind man, “What is it you want Me to do for you?” The push was, Jesus is standing right in front of you asking you the same question. So, what do you say to Him? I really chewed on that yesterday and I had all kind of answers, like ‘heal me’. That was a safe one because whether I was healed here or by going to heaven, then I can say Jesus positively answered my request. But if I say, ‘take this disease from me now to lengthen my life’ it changes everything. Here I go… a MASH moment.
In a MASH episode a downed bombardier believes he is Christ. Father Mulcahy asks him, “Does God answer all prayers?” The officer replied, “Yes.” Then with a tear running down his cheek he went on… “Sometimes the answer is ‘No’.”
Then I came to a time yesterday where I decided I wanted to just ask Jesus to do whatever would honor Him. My desire for that is real, but… later on, life slammed into my day and hard times my family can have struck me. The faces of my grandchildren filled my mind. I honestly can tell you I have not wept like that in years. It was draining (no pun intended!) I want to be there for them. What do I ask Jesus to do?
Just so you know, I’m still chewing on that one. So, stay aboard if you dare and let’s find out together what my answer will be! The best part about it, even though Jesus is anxious to hear me speak it to Him, He already knows.
RossRiggs.com 