FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 102

 An hour later we were on the Roanoke Road headed home. We crossed the Chattahoochee River, now flowing so calmly where it overflowed only a few days before. I reached over to turn on the radio, but Corrina put her hand on my arm to stop me.“Today Pup, let’s let it just be you and me.

OUT TO PASTOR: It’s my pain I’ll use it if I want to

 When I think I’ve turned a page to a new chapter in my life, I realize there is nothing new in life.I’m referring to pain.I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn’t have some pain.In the years of my naivety, I never imagined that when I got older, I would experience more pain.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 101

 I opened the door of the Nova for Corrina as I had done a hundred times that summer. She didn’t get in, though. She stood there with me in the door. I looked back once more. The graveyard was now quiet; even the workers slowly lowering Mama to the ground worked in silence.

OUT TO PASTOR: Where oh where is my hair?

 It is true that I don’t pay attention to many things in life. I guess I’m just too busy to notice everything.The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage always asks me why I’m not paying attention. To keep engaged in that argument, I say, “I’m too poor to pay attention. Could I borrow $0.25 from you?

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 100

 Cheyenne had remained quiet through the retelling of much of the latter chapters of that summer, but he asked slowly, hesitant to interrupt.“Popman, was that Corrina who came to stand by you with your Mama?”I nodded, remembering again how sweet that moment was.

OUT TO PASTOR: Oh no, not another day

 I thought got over the problems I had two weeks ago. I thought I stepped onto new ground and everything was going to be fine.Very few times am I right, and this wasn’t one of them.A couple of weeks ago, I had a terrible day.Our electricity was off for over six hours.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 99

 “… though like a wanderer, cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, up-ward I fly.”The quartet sang Mama’s favorite gospel songs, Brother Lew leading. Listening, I realized that it was so much more difficult to be Nearer My God to Thee now that I had lost my life’s compass.

OUT TO PASTOR: Snoozing has become my new hobby

 The Gracious Mistress Of The Parsonage asked me a question this past week.“Well, my dear, have you come up with a new hobby yet?”I’ve been retired for about four years. But I haven’t been doing nothing.I have a weekly Sunday morning service at an assisted living facility.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 98

 My heart skipped a beat when I saw that it was Dixie. She had only been out on the job once before, and that was one afternoon to get Pee Wee for them to drive over to Wedowee to get some steaks at the meat market there.

OUT TO PASTOR: If she can’t fix it, it’s not broken

 Life has its many ups and downs.There are some weeks when there are more downs than ups.But if I didn’t have a down, I probably wouldn’t appreciate an up.This past week was one of those down weeks.