Day 198 Promises to Keep

 

7/17/2025 

"It is better not to make a vow than to

make one and not fulfill it."

Ecclesiastes 5:5

 

One of the lessons my daddy taught me, one I have never forgotten, is to always keep promises, to be a woman of my word. I remember him telling me that he purchased his home with a handshake before the promissory note was ever written. Things were different back then, but good character was  known and respected. Back then daddy wasn't attending church; that happened later after the birth of his first grandchild, my daughter. How her life made such a difference I will never know or understand, but he was transformed. When I was young he always made sure we were in church whenever the doors were open, and he never forbid my mama or us from attending church services or any event. He worked the 3 pm -11 pm shift, so he slept in on his days off which happened to be Sunday and Monday. I remember we had to practically tiptoe through the house on those days, and oddly, even a friend remembered we had to be quiet when he was home. But I never remember him saying a cross word if we did awaken him, because he did have a tempestuous side, and he could flare up at times.

Things have changed considerably since the days my parents and grandparents lived. People still make promises, but they seldom remember making them, I guess. A handshake may be exchanged, but even so, the promise to get back to you never happens. I think the world moves too swiftly, and most everyone has to balance things and plan strategically. Even then, some things don't work out, and people are left wondering what happened. There is seldom follow up as a reminder of an appointment or an event or pledge to do work. There are fewer reminders of appointments by doctors' offices. We tend to take things for granted, expect people to understand when we never tell them differently, when we don't show up. Sadly, sometimes I feel that my best intentions of trying to keep in touch with folks seldom works out. I feel as if my life is out of control many times, and no matter how hard I try to "fit in" every thing or every person, I can't. It is simply impossible, so I should not expect more of myself than I am able to actually commit to do.

This morning I spent some time thinking about letters I want to write. People I want to call. When I first moved back home I had more time to call friends in New Mexico, but as time went on, the calls became less frequent. Writing has become a lost art, but I do still love to send cards with notes inside. I seem to get lost in my thoughts or prayers often, so what I start I seldom finish. I need to be more intentional. In Ecclesiastes King Solomon says that there is a time for every season:

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)  

I wonder what season of life I am in. I know that chronologically I am a senior, but mentally I don't feel as if I'm ready to be put out to pasture. Since I've been here I have fallen several times, because of my own antics, not necessarily because I am clumsy from advancing age. God has mercifully kept me safe, and if I did fracture something, at least it healed on its own. The chronic pain from some accidents do come back to haunt me at times, but there is little that can be done, so I have learned to grit and bear it. Plus I bounce back every time, in short order. I am determined to go on and finish my race. Trying not to look back, only forward, focusing on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. On this one thing I am steadfast.

I don't have promises to keep, at least none that I recall, except those made to myself which do affect others or influence them possibly. God has promises He will keep. I have no doubt. There are things that need doing, and those to get done. People to write and people to see. The Rowland reunion will be a promise to keep, as I would only miss it if there was a reason I could not. Making time for people is never a waste of time. 

When I moved back, several people made promises to visit, to come, to call, and for one reason or another, the promise did not pan out. But I wait, and I won't give up hope. One day I'll be pleasantly surprised. For now, I intend on doing better locally, catching up with friends and family. Planning my strategy for taking a road trip in autumn. My eyes are focused forward, trained on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. Promises to keep.