{"id":32046,"date":"2021-04-28T03:30:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T10:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=32046"},"modified":"2021-04-26T19:33:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T02:33:28","slug":"april-28-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2021\/04\/28\/april-28-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"April 28, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cEnter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good.\u201d <\/em>Psalm 100:4-5<\/p>\n

Was It the Last Time?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I was sitting on my patio the other day thinking of \u201clast times\u201d and realized that for the most part I didn\u2019t realize it would be the last time.<\/p>\n

It has been over a year since I have seen many friends, laughed with them, hugged them, or chatted with them. In that time, a couple have gone home to be with the Lord, and several have moved far away. I am not going to feel their hugs and hear their laughter. I miss loved ones who were here one day and suddenly gone the next. When was the last time you held hands with someone you hold dear? If you knew it would be the last time, would you have hung on a little tighter and a little longer?<\/p>\n

One of my favorite memories is when I would snuggle in bed with my little ones, fresh from a bath, teeth brushed and ready for bed, and we would read stories. Oh, how I miss those times. I know this sounds silly but I have kept some of their favorite books and sometimes will sit down and just read through one myself. When was the last time? I didn\u2019t know it would be the last time\u2026<\/p>\n

We once lived on a piece of property where I could get on a 4-wheeler and ride far out and sit under a special tree\u2014my prayer tree. It was quiet, and I could just be with the Lord. I will never be able to go there again\u2026.<\/p>\n

I am sure you can think of \u201clast times\u201d in your life. I think as we look back, we can smile and maybe cry about some of these times, but we also need to be grateful that God brought these special moments, people and times into our lives.<\/p>\n

We all get busy, and if you are like me, I think I can catch up with my friend later, I am running late, I will call soon, we can get together next week, I will do it next time\u2026. Unfortunately, some of those times never come again.<\/p>\n

Not only do we need to make the time and spend the time with others, but when God gives us an opportunity to share about the gospel\u2014His saving grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus\u2014we need to do it right then. What if it is your last time and you don\u2019t know it? We don\u2019t want to live with regrets and we want to value each special moment the Lord has given us.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, even though writing this devotional caused me to cry and I felt my heart break a little, I know how good You have been to me and I am so grateful for all You have brought into my life. As I get older, each moment and each person become more precious to me. I pray for each one reading this today that they go forth with purpose and with great gratitude for all You have given each of us. I pray that we all feel Your love today, Father. We praise and honor You, today and always. Amen.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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