Preserve innocence. Hold it in the highest regard. Not just for yourself but for those around you. Try it, see if it makes a difference in your life. Above all else honor God.

I want to be innocent. Not naive. Innocent. Pure. Life gets in the way and makes a fog out of my mind. Some days it is so clear and it all makes perfect sense...but that seems to only be as often as the blue moon. Children see in black and white no inbetweens. "She took my toy." "He bit my toe." "You're pretty Mommy." Sigh. So precious.

Not long ago I attended the funeral of a man who has been a dear friend to my family. I went to the viewing. The line was 2 and a half hours. It was held on two nights. 4 different times if I remember correctly. People came from over 2,000 miles away to honor and remember the man that he was. The ways that he touched their lives. And he sang. Way down on the bottom notes, the speakers rumbled and the floor shook. People smiled and were encouraged. Heaven gained another octave.

It makes me realize how thin life is. It's only this vapor that we cannot fully see until the end. His passing was sad but also joyful. It reminds me that this world is not my home I am a stranger, an alien in this land...(a strange alien works too). To all the many who have gone on to the other side, for the legacies that have been left behind, the hearts that have cried at their passing, may the rejoicing in heaven resound throughout the skies and if we lend an ear may we here their joy echo in our hearts, down to the depths of our souls that we may have the strength to carry on one more day. Thank you Jesus.