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In our Wednesday night study of Ecclesiastes 1, a comment was made that the writer speaks of things we can observe. That is in chapter one, the Preacher speaks of generations coming and going, the rotation of the Sun as it rises, goes down and rises again in the morning, the currents of the wind or jet streams, and even the water cycle.

This got me to thinking about how we observe and interpret things differently in our different stages of life. I thought of this especially in relation to this being Memorial Day Weekend. 

For instance, I remember as a child, when family would visit the farm and go to the nearby cemeteries. Many of my relatives lived in the Louisville area but our ancestors are buried in Northern Butler County. They would walk through those cemeteries and speak of folks I did not know. Some died in accidents, some in times of war, but most died from old age. I could walk thru those places with very little emotion. I am now at the point where I know many people buried in those same cemeteries. They were the adults when I was a child, many are my relatives, some I grew up with as we were children together. I told Regena, we know too many people who have passed away. It just changes how I view those cemeteries. 

As mention in the above paragraph, some who are buried were my age or even younger. Like most of you, I can mention cousins who died from cancer, some from drug overdoses, others in auto accidents. Solomon spoke of time and chance happening with us all. “I returned and saw under the sun that-The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Knowing that I could have passed from cancer or been in that car wreck makes me appreciate my good fortune and how fragile life is. 

Back to Ecclesiastes 1, the Preacher speaks of the vanity of life. Being older means you understand a lot of things you used to think to be really important are not important at all. Young people can get stressed out about so many things but most of it will soon be forgotten. 

Also, there are things we think we have to get done today and other things we put off till tomorrow. Many times, we put off what really matters and do things that do not. I have learned the phrase “It can wait till tomorrow and if there isn’t a tomorrow it doesn’t really matter.” On the other hand, don’t put off till tomorrow what needs to be done today. I am afraid too many people are like the foolish farmer in Luke. “'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:19-21.) The best retirement plan is heaven! Any retirement without heaven is called eternity in hell. – Dennis Tucker