To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, 3, (8)

As we travel down the busy, and often times, congested roads headed for work, home, or school, we seldom stop to smell the roses... the roses of life.

Recently, a friend and former co-worker was traveling home to pick up some cakes that his grandmother had baked for the holidays. He never made it. His truck was struck from behind by a drunk driver. The force of impact caused him to lose control and the truck overturned. He was killed instantly. Instantly his plans for the future ended. His hopes and dreams were shattered.

Death can come and strike quickly and suddenly, without warning. And even though we are aware of this fact, most of us take life for granted. We play around with it and don't really understand it's value until it's too late. That friend or family member is now gone.

When life is gone, we can never say what we should or could have said or done for that person. Death is an important entity that must be, not only recognized, but respected. As a child, I didn't think I'd ever die. I can recall playing with my friends. We would jump off bridges into the warm Florida waters waiting below. We never considered how deep the water was. Remembering those days, you couldn't pay me to do those things today! I've learned to appreciate life more. It saddens me to read the paper or turn on the TV and discover that a life has been taken. We almost expect to see the crimes of murder on our evening news, where drive-by shootings and hit-and-runs are weekly occurrences. Is life meaningless in our society? Have we become so desensitized to it's worth?

Life is precious and essential. Where there is love, you will find life. David said in his 23rd Psalms, "Even though I'm walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." He had love with him. David had love to comfort and protect him. Love for life allows us to live life to the fullest. Love for life will cause us to respect and appreciate it's time. However long or short it may be. A love for life makes the difference. You can knock love down, it will get back up! You can push it against the ropes, it will come out swinging! Our love for life is the source of our strength. We can kill love and bury love, love will rise again! It may be a friend or co-worker or perhaps a relative, share the love. It's contagious, pass it on!

In memory of Eddie Armour, 1968-1998