Forty-nine years! That sounds like a long time ago, especially to someone like my six year old grandson. On the other hand to me it almost seems like yesterday. Forty-nine years ago I graduated from Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa, Iowa. Yes, next year it will be FIFTY! Well, what brought on this nostalgic walk down memory lane? Almost every day I read the home town newspaper the Ottumwa Courier online. I kiddingly tell my wife I do this to see if my name is in the obituary column.

In today’s edition was a photo of the 2012 graduating class and what a rush of memories that flooded forth as I recollected that day when I graduated. What a day! A lot has transpired in this world and in my world since that high school graduation. However forty-nine years is nothing compared to eternity! The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” Isaiah 57:15.

Nevertheless, we live in the present, the here and now, called time, of which the New Testament writer James tells us “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” 4:14. Forty-nine years is a long time but it is also a very short time compared to eternity! Whatyareckon?