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The Yield: In the autumn of life, an urgency to complete life’s goals
Originally published in the Dec. 25, 2009, print edition.
— Stan and I spent autumn days finalizing pre-winter chores. The trees, still and quiet, hung onto their leaves.
Strong winds and heavy rain drove the leaves from the uplifted limbs of the giant oaks and walnut trees. The sad, dreary, bleak days meant winter was coming.
Some cornfields were still standing in the area, but much of the ground was resting with cornstalks and bean trash tucked away for winter.
The mild weather of November had made it possible to enjoy motorcycling later into the fall. Usually by this time, biking is over for the season. Stan rode the bike on Dec. 1 this year.
Stan’s winterizing projects of getting the oil changed and fuel stabilizer into the fuel tanks of our summer toys were complete, and the vehicles put away in a swept-clean garage.
Our dream of going south or west to escape the winter weather for a week or two of sight-seeing seemed closer to becoming a reality after the wheel chocks and tie-downs were installed in our trailer. I am pretty much programmed to stay home during winter months, so we will have to see if this plan develops or not.
As the coming of winter spurs us to complete autumn activities, I am reminded of the urgency of completing life’s goals.
As a Christian senior citizen, it seems to me that the senior years are like fall. There is still time to work, but the days are getting fewer.
We know that souls are precious to God, and that He has provided a way for us to be with Him in eternity. He has, however, given us a choice. We can choose to accept the forgiveness he offers through His Son Jesus, or we can reject it.
The choice is ours while we live.
After our death, the die is cast, and we no longer have a choice. We will no longer be able to accept His provision for us to have eternal life in heaven. The decision we make in life is final.
The Bible tells us that the human heart can become calloused. This happens when people hear the Gospel message, but refuse to accept it.
You can say no until your last breath, and accept it at that point, but it becomes increasingly more difficult as time goes on.
I must work the works of Him who sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. John 9:4 KJV
Sue Peterson has been writing “The Yield” column since 1978 and has been a staple of The Land. She may be reached at sustan2@bevcomm.net or 1010 East 5th St., Blue Earth, MN 56013.
Matthew 6; Psalm 37:5-7
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