Steve Gaines

This past year Donna and I have experienced some very significant events in our family. In March, our first grandson was born. John Weston Gaines is the first “Gaines boy” born within our extended family. He, along with any other brothers he might have in the years to come, will be the only one(s) to carry on the Gaines name. At the time of this writing, he’s already crawling and growing into a strong child. Weston’s birth was a “window of time.” We were there – we did not miss it.

Later in June, Donna and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. I can vividly remember nervously standing in the sanctuary of Ardmore Baptist Church in Frayser in front of Dr. Bob Agee and our family and friends saying our vows to one another. Where has the time gone? It doesn’t seem possible that it was three decades ago when we said “I do.” It was another special window of time.

On the last day of July, our middle daughter, Allison, married Gentry Hill. It was a beautiful wedding, and they were/are (if I do say so myself) a striking couple. Both Alli and Gentry are “PKs” (preacher’s kids), and in my humble opinion, that makes them very special! Not only is Gentry’s father a Baptist pastor, but Gentry himself plans to be a preacher as well. As I stood at their wedding altar, I had flashbacks of Alli’s blonde ponytail bouncing out of the back of her Little League softball hat. Where had the time gone? We were at her games, and now we were at her wedding. Each was a “window of time.”

At the end of summer, our oldest daughter, Lindsey, found out that she and her husband, Ryan, will have their first child (our third grandchild). “Ivey Elizabeth Wingo is scheduled to be born in May of 2011. The news of her conception was yet another extraordinary “window of time.”

In August, our youngest daughter, Bethany, began her senior year of high school. It seems like there is another “last one of those” events taking place every week—the last first day of school, the last homecoming, etc. Within a matter of months, Donna and I will be “empty nesters.” These are all special “windows of time” for Bethany, and we will be there for them.

In September, Donna and I celebrated our fifth anniversary at Bellevue Baptist Church. True to form, these past five years have flown by. It seems like just a short time ago that we were unloading our moving van and arriving in Memphis. How grateful we are for our Bellevue family. We are excited about the amazing days that lie ahead for our church as we continue to “LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, SHARE JESUS, AND MAKE DISCIPLES.” These five years at Bellevue have been another brief “window of time.”

Finally, on November 15th, the Lord called my mother, Dorothy Gaines, home to heaven. As Donna was rubbing Mom’s arm and holding her hand, I believe that an angel of the Lord took Mom’s other hand and escorted her to the feet of Jesus. Her spirit and soul stepped triumphantly out of that bed of sickness into a state of perfect health and glory! I believe my mother is “up and at ’em” right now. Knowing her, she’s running through the fields of heaven! Her funeral service was such a blessing. It honored her for being such a Godly, strong, gracious, giving woman, and it also glorified her Savior – the Lord Jesus. And His manifest presence was at her homegoing celebration at First Baptist, Dyersburg!

As I look back at all of these special events that occurred within only one year, I’m amazed at and grateful for God’s faithfulness. I can say with the prophet Jeremiah, “The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

This year has also reminded me that life on earth is brief. The Lord gives each of us small “windows of time” to make special memories. Country Music legend, George Strait, affirms this in one of his songs that says, “Life’s not the breaths you take, the breathing in and out, that gets you through the day, that’s not what it’s all about. You just might miss the point trying to win the race. Life’s not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.”

Once special occasions like baptisms, recitals, ballgames, graduations, weddings, and even funerals take place, they are never repeated. This life is not a dress rehearsal; it’s the only one you get. Please don’t miss these “windows of time” that pass by so quickly.

Your life will soon be over. Know Jesus in salvation. Live for His glory during these brief years on earth. And while you’re here, show up for every day. Every birth, anniversary, wedding, and funeral is a gift from God. Don’t miss even one of them. They are God’s special “windows of time,” and I believe they are little foretastes of heaven.