By Brenda Cannon Henley
A very dear friend of mine sent a writing to me this week and I cannot find it in me not to share it with those who read and follow my columns. I have asked for permission to share his thoughts and will, if my request is granted, share it in a future column. In the meantime, God has used the ideas churning around in my heart and head, to cause me to examine some of my own thoughts, deeds, and actions. And, hopefully, it will mean so much to me and to others, that great good will come from the effort.

If we, as Christians who claim to love God, could get this one truth nailed to a secure place in our hearts and lives, we would be so much happier, useful, and helpful.

Do YOU matter?
Do you honestly ever harbor feelings in your heart or mind that you don’t really matter very much to anyone? Perhaps you have lost your life’s mate to death, disagreement, divorce, or the antics of the devil. Does it seem some days that life is passing you by, that the harder you work, the more you give, or how much you try to help others, it is just to no avail. No one really seems to appreciate your love and sacrifice in their behalf? Be honest here, first with God, then yourself, and lastly, with others.

Sacrificing for others
I have dear friends, some are single parents, good people, that poured into their children all the while they were growing up, being educated, and reaching adulthood. Now, they seem to have forgotten who worked night and day to see that their lives were “normal,” and that they were given the right tools to succeed.

Now, this generation is older and often seemingly forgotten as the younger generation buys bigger and better and has less and less time and involvement in their lives. It hurts to be forgotten, ignored, not included, or simply “in the way” of these busy, successful men and women they worked so hard to rear. They loved you then, and they love you now, and that love is encapsulated in the life of your children and grandchildren.

Left by the way to wonder
Jobs, entertainment, travel, climbing the old ladder, buying more and more, and 101 other things have cluttered life to the point that the most important people in that life are strewn by the wayside in pitiful heaps and left wondering what happened. Their older and often tired hearts are hurting as they sit by the wayside waiting.

Who planned your birthday parties and made certain you had a pleasant Christmas? Who went without new and pretty things for spring or Easter so you could be dressed in the best? Who helped with difficult homework and end of semester projects and attended school festivities, games, and awards to be certain you were represented and accounted for properly? Where are they now. How are they doing, or do you even know? More importantly, do you even care?

Do you know or care?
Does your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, favorite teacher, or kind neighbor need you? Have you ever once in your life genuinely said, “Thank you for your investment in me?” Do you call often, send a card, buy a gift, or better yet, stop for a visit, or take them out on a planned date? It could be life changing – Both for you and for them.

I don’t often quote a snappy or sappy country music song to make a point, but do you take time to remember the house (or the people) that built you? It is my opinion that you need to be more responsible and kind to those that count most.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[Oct-8-2022]