For reasons I dare not divulge I find myself thinking of time’s passage. And of the milestones with which we mark it. Like birthdays and anniversaries.

    Baseball’s regular season ended last Sunday. The Dodger’s Brett Butler closed out a 17 year career at age 40. He remarked: “I’m surprised at how fast it went.” So say we all. One of Neil Diamond’s old songs has it: “Done too soon.” And in somber measure the New Testament intones: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

    So what to do? Two things, it seems to me. At least two. One: Use up each day. Fill to overflowing with good. Deliberately enjoy. And two: Begin now. Mend a fractured friendship. Mail an overdue letter. Correct a misunderstanding. Repair a broken heart. Lay aside a grievance. Act on a noble impulse. As we all know, “The night cometh.”

—October 5, 1997
Lanny Henninger preached for over two and half decades in Austin, Texas at University Avenue Church of Christ. He was a fine Christian gentleman, an attentive minister, and a wonderful speaker. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, congregation, and a host who admired his keen but kind intellect. He passed from this life October 6 driving to church to begin another week of ministry. We trust that while night may have fallen for Lanny on our side of reality, we believe he has experienced sunrise on his side.

HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine is a ministry of loving Christians and the Westover Hills church of Christ.
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Article copyright © 1997, Lanny Henninger. Used by permission.
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