The Last Time or the First Time?

November 25, 2001
We recently watched Jody play his last football game. Our grandson is a senior at ACU. He played the last game just like he had played the first freshman game, 100% heart. Even though it was Jody's "last time," it is also his first time to pursue the next stage of his life...his career, his opportunities and following God's plan for his life. I get all emotional and I cry.

What a thrill we had watching our granddaughter Traci perform in the All School Symphony Concert in Amarillo. It was deja vu for my husband and me. Traci plays her daddy's trumpet, the one he played in the Portales High School marching band. In my mind I still see and hear the PHS Band playing the intro to "Rocky." How well I remember Lane's last time to play "Battle Hymn of the Republic" on graduation night. Lane's last time has become a first time for Traci and I cried both times.

I shall never forget the day we were preparing to take my Aunt Floy to the rest home. "This will be the last night she will spend in her own home," I moaned. "I guess there's a last time for everything!" "Or a first time," my husband added. "She may like the rest home. I know she will enjoy the good food and the care. She will make new friends. She will not have stress or the responsibilities she has had. The last time leads to a best first time. It all depends on how you look at it."

I thought about his statement many times. My mind drifted back to May 25, 1945. Emmitt was going off to war. The big Greyhound bus waited while we held each other one more time for one last good bye. He was 18. I was 16 and I cried.

I'm sure we thought in our hearts it might be the last time, but in just a few short years we began our "first time" of life together. Growth and maturity have taught us that God is in control and for every life there is a time and season: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

When our children left home for the last time, it was hard for me to know they must pursue their "first time." I didn't know then that adult children become "best friends." Tucked away in my heart are precious memories of my children's "last times" and "first times."

"You've been wonderful parents, but it's time for me to move away."

"Hi Mom...it's been a long four years, but I'm getting my B.A. degree.

It's my "first time" at the real world."

"But Mom, a Christian never has to say good bye!"

"Mom, what are you doing on November 19th? Would you like to go to a wedding?"

"Mom, there is nothing you could ever say or do that would make me not love you."

I cried a lot.

When that loved one's body is put to rest in the ground I will cry because it seems like the last time to us, but to God's child it is the "first time" to burst into the "Light!" It is the first time to experience the joy of eternal bliss, free from pain, sorrow and all care. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now a crown is being held for me...a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day...not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again" (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NCV).

It is like my husband said: "The last time leads to a best first time. It all depends on how you look at it!"