He Leaned On His Staff

Through the years the way we record our family history has changed. In the Old Testament the patriarch of the family always carried a staff. Of course the staff itself had many uses. It was a shepherd staff to keep the sheep in line. It was also a walking stick helping the young shepherd make his way through the rocky hillside. As the years moved along, the staff even took on more of a cane use instead of just a simple walking stick. Whatever the case may be, one thing was sure, the staff stayed with the patriarch throughout his life. 

But, the staff was far more than just a simple walking stick or cane. The staff also contained the geneology and history of that particular family. Etched along the patriarch’s staff were important events that took place in his life. Births, deaths, movements through time. All tracking and keeping a chronological order of the patriarch’s life.

The staff was how the Sojourner kept track of his journey as he made his way through life here on earth.

By Faith, Jacob Leaned On His Staff

“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”
Hebrews 11:21

We find Jacob’s life, his journey here on earth, drawing to a close in this passage. As he blesses his grandchildren, he’s also leaning on the top of his staff. He’s pondering his mark on this world. He’s pondering his family, and he’s remembering those most important to him in this journey we call life. He’s leaning on his staff, which contains the history of his family. I’m sure his staff was also passed along to his own son. Why? So the memory of the family will continue from generation to generation.

I started thinking about keeping track of our life earlier this morning as I spent some time on Twitter. It all started with s0mething I read on the social network site that said this was 80sphotoday weekend on Twitter. As I read more, I discovered the idea was to post a profile/avatar picture of yourself from the 1980’s. Wow! Now there’s a scary thought! But, I also figured it sounded like fun so I decided to dig around and find an old picture. 

Let #80sphotowknd #80sphotoday On Twitter Begin!

I dug around some old pictures and came across that one from the early 1980’s. Pretty scary hair! But, I do remember that time of my life well. It was the early 1980’s. I was looking forward to graduating, and also starting a career in radio. Little did I know what the future held, but I knew I was having fun and having a good time. I even looked like that when I met my wife! I’m thinking it was the hair that really impressed her. We were married in 1984, and by then, I was working at my third radio station. Time marched on, we had our first child, and then, it was time for another move. The journey this time took me back to college.

Of course things changed, and so did styles.

By the late 1980’s I was trying to look more like a grown up. Okay, the glasses are still really big, but the hair has changed. This time around instead of looking forward to being a radio star, this is a picture taken while I was leading a group of college students on a mission trip into Haiti. Another great time on my journey through life.

How Are You Tracking Your Journey?

We’re presented with many ways to track our journey these days. Some use journals, some use blogs, others use pictures. Whatever the case may be, one thing has not changed. Just like Jacob of old, we’re all looking for a way to keep track of our journey. My New Year’s resolution this year is to become much better at sending out birthday and anniversary cards. The passage of time has a way of rising an awareness that yes indeed, we are all mortal. We are all on a journey, and it’s important to acknowledge, and keep track of events, as we journey through this thing we call life.

It’s been great fun today going through some old pictures. I’ve also enjoyed getting a glimpse into the lives of some of my Twitter friends looking at their old pictures. It’s true, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Thanks to @erickbrockway You Can Enjoy The Fun Too!
80’sPictureDay Photo Bucket Display
80’sPictureDay You Tube Video

Then and Now

A few recent events have caused me to pay a little more attention to the passing of time. As I get older, I’m also coming to the realization that others around me are getting older too.  This year my wife and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage. My two brothers are 50 and over, my parents have been married more than 50 years, and I’m gaining speed on that number 50 as well!

Then, toss in on top of that the passing of good friends.

The Warren’s have been a fixture in the life of the Jeffrey’s for a long time. As a matter of fact, Duane and my Dad were school buddies. When my parents were married, Duane was Dad’s bestman. When Duane and Shirley were married, Dad was their bestman. Through the years we spent a lot of time together. Duane and Shirley have three kids, and Mom and Dad have three kids. We were also all about the same age. When Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th Anniversary a few years ago we were all together. It had been a long time since we were all in one place, so we took a picture of just the kids. (Well, with the exception of Scott. But I’ll have more on that a little later in this post.)

A few months ago, Shirley passed away, and that’s when Mom and Dad pulled out some old pictures. One picture caught my eye, and combined with the one from a few years ago, I ended up with a great Then and Now shot.

Now – From Left To Right
Me, Lance, (Scott), Chris
Girls – Debbie, Jill

Then – From Left to Right
Back – Lance, Debbie
Middle – Chris, Jill, Me
Front – Scott

I’m sure you may have noticed the picture of Scott in the Now picture is actually a picture of Dudley Do-Right. Scott couldn’t make it for my parents anniversary. But, since he’s an RCMP in Canada, I thought it appropriate to have my design guy put in a picture of Dudley Do-Right.

It’s pictures like the one above that help us to remember the passage of time. We are all on a journey. Many people come, and many people go. But the important people can be remembered through pictures.

How are you keeping track of your journey?

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus