It's Never Too Late

At 87 years of age, Rose was having the time of her life. She had decided to pursue her college degree. When asked by another student what inspired her decision, Rose replied, “I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon, easily making friends wherever she went... At the end of the semester, the football team invited Rose to speak at their banquet. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know. We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only three secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets." At the years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation, Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be. (author unknown) Jesus has a similar message for us. The kingdom is not based on human standards of justice and equity but on the infinite mercy of God. Perhaps there are days when you feel like the laborer who worked the 12 hour shift -- ticked at the people who received a full days pay for a measly one hour of work. But no doubt there are other days when you joined the laborers late in the day – those days where self-interest crowded out his Spirit. We are so fortunate that our God is so generous; he remembers the thief on the cross. He remembers us today – we need simply to renew our promise and try again to follow him. Give our Lord a “High Five” and move through your day with a heart of gratitude. All will be well in God’s plan.