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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 7, NUMBER 48, DECEMBER 2, 2007 The Picture I saw a picture the other day And said, This cannot be! What hair is left has gone to gray That simply can’t be me. The shoulders once so firm and strong Now seemed somehow flat And around the waist, what was that there? Could it have been some fat? The eyes that once were bright and clear Surrounded by skin so smooth Were clouded a bit and not so bright And the skin was filled with grooves. The pictures digital cameras take Can be hard to bear. What was that growing from the ears? Don’t tell me it was hair! How did those furrows come to be On that forehead now so high? I guess that really was me And now I’ll tell you why The hair is gray and mostly gone; That much is surely true. But I don’t care, for each hair that’s gone Means I had another day with you. Those shoulders were a saddle For our son and daughter too. And even though they are not so strong I promise they’ll be there for you. I guess that there is more of me In places than before. But I just think I needed it Because I love you more and more Yes that is hair on my ears And on the back, that’s swell. I guess it doesn’t really matter, For now you don’t see so well. There are furrows on my forehead, And that’s okay, I guess. For each I have earned over 31 years Of living with the very best. Greg Litmer What Is Most Important?In the western world, success is generally measured in terms of accomplishments. It doesn’t always have to be financial success that draws the praise and honor of our fellow man. Men of great intellect such as Albert Einstein, Jonas Salk, and others have gained fame and admiration through the results of their study and research. Men of great military power are looked to for security and confidence. Entire nations often praise as heroes their military leaders. Elite athletes, men and women who can run, jump, throw, catch, and generally display physical prowess at the highest levels, are held up as role models. Children and adults wear replicas of their jerseys, or shoes that bear their names, and declare that they want to be like them. Those of great wealth, especially those who started with little and through hard work and determination built their fortunes, are often the subjects of books and articles extolling their great achievements. This is all good and it all has its place – but none of these things are what are truly the most important. At a very dark time in the history of the children of Israel, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, stated in such a clear fashion what is really important. Before too long the capital city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, with the temple of Jehovah essentially leveled by the mighty Babylonian army. Large numbers of the citizens of Judah would be carried into Captivity. If ever there was a time when the people needed to understand the difference between what was significant and what was most significant, what was important and what was most important, now was the time. This is what God told them: “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Truth be told, the man who walks with God is the man who understands what is most important. He may never have great wisdom from the worldly standpoint, never lead armies or win awards for his athletic abilities. This person may never enjoy a great amount of wealth and relatively few people may know his name. But I submit to you that God knows such a person, and that the world is a better place because of the life of every person who knew what was most important. Such a person has done something great. Greg Litmer
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