"Remembering"

I can remember just a few years ago, watching Kyle Davies play in the North Henry Baseball League. My son, Paul, and a host of other young people were playing and competing in youth baseball. I can remember Kyle hitting the ball out of the ballpark with ease. It's just a few years later, but now Kyle is one of the starting pitchers for the Atlanta Braves. Time seems to go by in a hurry doesn't it? It seems like just the other day when Andrew Jones joined the Atlanta Braves. Now, they speak of Andrew as the veteran leader of the team as he gives pointers to the younger players. Time is going by quickly!

I can remember the day when fans would yell and share their favorite remarks from the stands. I heard just the other day how fans now can send a text message from the cell phone to the score board operator and have their message put on the big message board. My how times have changed!

Many of us can remember the days when the local high school prom was held in the High School Gymnasium or cafeteria. Some local schools are holding their prom in the Atlanta Aquarium, the College of Art & Design, and the Biltmore House. My how times have changed!

I can remember when Sunday was a day when people felt good about going to church. On my way to church, I see so many people mowing their grass, painting their houses, and doing almost anything except going to church. My how times have changed. Maybe this is a good time to think about the many ways things have changed. If we haven't changed for the better, perhaps we can change our ways and find a better way. It's worth thinking about!

"Planting new seeds"

As I walk around my neighborhood, there is the spring fever that has people planting various plants and shrubs in their yards. Some are concentrating on flowers and trees, while others are busy getting things ready for their vegetable gardens. People are busy purchasing their tomato plants, bell peppers, and my favorite, jalapeños. So many are tilling their gardens, staking their plants, and getting ready for springtime.

This has been a wonderful time for conversation throughout the neighborhood as you see people talking to other people as they engage in the task at hand. Kids are playing outdoors, some people are getting their pools ready for summer, others are walking and jogging, while others are just enjoying the outdoors.

This has been a season when I have turned off my heating and air and I rejoice in whatever savings will come my way. While the temperatures have been slightly above normal in our area, things will change and before long the temperatures will return to what is normal. It's a changing season full of unique and different turns.

Sometimes, we need to stop and ponder exactly what kind of seeds we are planting. I'm not talking now about the corn, butter beans, or peas. I'm talking about the seeds we are planting in the lives of other people. Seeds that we plant in the garden will benefit us only for a season, but the seeds we plant in the lives of others can continue to grow throughout a lifetime. Let's plant some new seeds today!

"More than a T-Shirt"

The Peachtree Road race is an incredible 10K event held on July 4th of each year in the city of Atlanta. It is more than a race, it is a tradition and a cherished event. About 55,000 runners will begin the race near Lenox Square Mall. The race will go down Peachtree Street and end at Piedmont Park. The runners are divided into 9 groups. Those in group one are serious runners and they will run the race in record time. Those back in group nine are not so serious. They are running just for fun. They are trying to stay ahead of the street cleaners who will come behind them. Group nine is led by Atlanta radio personality, Clark Howard. We call them "Howard's Heroes."

One of the things I like best about the day is that thousands of people in Atlanta are coming together for a common goal. They are all in the same race together and it is a very special time for most. There is much to see and much to do throughout the day. The ultimate goal and aim for the runners is to get the prized "Peachtree T-Shirt." The T-Shirt is a symbol of accomplishment and something to be proud of.

Such an event takes more than just runners. It is surrounded by a host of thousands planning the event, offering water to runners along the course, and making sure that everything goes as planned. There are so many people behind the scenes working diligently throughout the event.

It's good to see people come together in positive ways to build and enhance life. That's a worthy goal for many of us this week. Just maybe we can help shape the future of other's around us as they move forward toward the goals they set!

"Running the Race"

Every time we turn around, we are exposed to a new race or walk in our community. The March of Dimes will be promoting their "WalkAmerica" walk later this month. Walks will be planned for diabetes, breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, the American Heart Association and many more. Organizations have found these walks to be extremely popular and profitable. It is a way to provide information and funds for research.

Walking is not only good for organizations raising money, it is good for us. Walking is one of the best exercises we can engage in. We can walk at our own pace and increase our distance as we feel appropriate. Walking is something we can do by ourselves, with friends, with family, or even with the the family dog.

The writer of Hebrews (Hebrews12) speaks of "running with patience the race that is set before us." We are called to look at the bigger picture of life which involves our faith and how we will live it out in our lives. These are exciting days to run the race of faith and feel the encouragement of others who are running alongside us.