Once in a lifetime

Religion

October 22, 2009

John Paul Carter, Democrat Columnist

Anonymous The Weatherford Democrat Thu Oct 22, 2009, 03:03 PM CDT

The other day I saw an article in the travel section of a newspaper describing a cruise to some exotic destination. The bold headline read, “Once in a Lifetime.”

For some reason, I pondered the headline’s meaning. Maybe it was like a trip into space — a rare, never to be repeated event. Was the ship to sail to this destination only this one time? Did it mean passengers would not be allowed to repeat the cruise in the future? Maybe it was so expensive, someone like me couldn’t afford to go again.

A “once in a lifetime” experience sounds like a treasure to be sought after — something you could proudly tell your children and grandchildren about in years to come. What would we do for such an opportunity? How much would we pay?

I thought back to some of those unique events in my life — sailing to Great Britain on the original Queen Elizabeth, being addressed in the Rose Garden by President Johnson, visiting the Holy Land. I also remembered some darker, heartbreaking experiences — glad that they were only one-time occurrences.

Then it dawned on me, all our experiences are “once in a lifetime.” No matter how similar, no two events are exactly the same. The context is constantly changing. The mix is never exactly the same as the river of life flows on. There will never be another moment exactly like this one, here and now.

When we look at a new day as a repeat performance of the same old thing, we miss its splendor and opportunities. Rather than being filled with wonder and curiosity, we fall prey to boredom and despair. A wise man once said, “Each day is virgin.”

In Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town,” Emily has prematurely joined the dead in the cemetery on the hill overlooking Grover’s Corners, her hometown. Against the advice of the other dead, she asked to go back to observe her 12th birthday. She returned quickly with a new appreciation for the uniqueness and preciousness of each moment of life.

“We don’t have time to look at one another,” Emily sobs to the stage manager. “I didn’t realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed ... Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover’s Corners ... Mama and Papa. Good-by, to clocks ticking ... and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths ... and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? — every, every minute?”

The Psalmist reminds us: “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It’s a once in a lifetime experience!

u

John Paul Carter’s “Notes from the Journey” appear in the Democrat’s Religion page on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Carter, an ordained minister who attends Central Christian Church, may be contacted by writing him at 107 Bent Oak Road, Weatherford, 76086.

Text Only

Religion

Sons and daughters of encouragement
One afternoon last year, when we were in North Carolina visiting our friends, Ann and Robert, we toured the Billy Graham Museum in Charlotte. The impressive exhibits not only chronicled the life and achievements of the world famous evangelist, but also the lives of the other members of his team.

September 22, 2011
‘The Help’
William Barclay tells the story of a servant who was sent to meet a train on which his master’s friend, an English nobleman, was supposed to arrive. The servant, who had never met the man, asked his master, “How will I recognize him?” To which his master replied, “He will be a tall man helping somebody.” What a description!
I thought of that story after seeing the excellent film version of Kathryn Stockett’s best-selling novel, The Help.

August 25, 2011
Good medicine for parched souls
In the comic strip Shoe, the young owl is sitting at his school desk taking a test. The quiz question is: “Name all the senses.” He writes this answer: “Sight, sound, touch, smell, taste and humor.”

August 11, 2011
Enriching differences
Even with the losses that accompany aging, each birthday I find there is more to be grateful for than there was the year before.

July 21, 2011
Aledo Christian Center active in politics
A visit with Knox Ross, associate pastor of Aledo Christian Center, indicates that aspirations are high for this small non-denominational church and its independent affiliates, a Christian school and an organization called WallBuilders, which seeks to impact national legislation.

July 15, 2011 1 Photo
Sunday marks new church’s first service
WEATHERFORD — Shiloh Trail Cowboy Church will have its first service Sunday.

July 14, 2011
Money talks on July 4
Most of the time when we say, “Money Talks,” we mean that money and wealth carry persuasive power when important decisions are being made. But money also talks in another way: by the words that are emblazoned on our coins.

July 7, 2011
Building community
Faith Presbyterian Church pastor Rev. Jim Witherow seems to spend as much time outside the walls of his church as he does inside, striving to balance the needs of his 200-member congregation with the needs of a growing community.

July 2, 2011 1 Photo
Victory Baptist Church’s vacation Bible school
Church members put a lot of effort into their annual vacation Bible school, constructing colorful and elaborate sets. This year, the theme was outer space. Above, astronaut Joel McClure (children’s minister) talks to space travelers as the flight crew, Robbie Catuto, Jessica Hamilton, Rayanne Langley and Ryan Scoggins (Turbo), look on.

June 23, 2011 1 Photo
Victory Baptist Church’s vacation Bible school
VBS director Penny McClure announces costume winners selected Thursday. Pictured are Lily Verdin, Emma Mars, Brianna Glick, Jonathan Leaf and Conner Wright.

June 23, 2011 1 Photo
More Religion Headlines

The Air Force Academy recently graduated their first openly gay cadets. What does this signify?

Religion

Search Results