Remember to Number

It’s strange that we often remember
so much that we ought to forget;
and forget what we should have remembered,
that’s one reason we worry and fret.

Remembering the hurts other give us
won’t make our lives happy and sweet.
In fact, it will be just the opposite,
and we’ll burden the folks that we meet.

Forgetting the kind deeds of others,
believe me, is fully as bad;
for this is how favors quit coming;
it’s selfishness, which is so sad.

Remembering each good we engage in
and wanting our neighbors to see;
forgetting how often we’ve failed them—
what blind hypocrites we can be!

There’s one thing I’ve recently noted—
it’s funerals—where truth we must face;
we may promise to make worthwhile changes,
yet how quickly these thoughts we erase.

Oh, teach us, dear Lord, then, to number
our days—yes, they really are few;
and open our hearts to Thy wisdom,
securing our “Well done” from You!

fpn/79

(Reposted from August 6, 2017. Alternate title: Remembering and Forgetting)



Picture: depositphotos.com #104026080, standard license

From the Archives

A significant time in Frank Nickel's life came when he realized the family singing ministry was no longer going to be a sustainable venture. The last child was in university, they were empty nesters. A small church in Springfield was in need of a pastor. After much prayer and consultation, Frank made the decision to take on the pastoral role at Southern Heights Bible Church and he ministered there faithfully until his death in 2002. 

This career transition meant they were no longer able to attend their home church where they had fellowshipped for many years. Frank had served on the board, their fifth son, John, had been employed as youth pastor a few years prior, all the children had grown up there, played in the band, sung in the choir, and attended youth group. Many deep friendships had been forged. 

As part of the farewell to this church family, Frank wrote a poem, "An Ode to Friends." Pictured above is a copy of the "farewell" letter he sent to the church, dated February 25, 1977. 

Here's an interesting tidbit of trivia: note the telephone number on the letterhead. In 1977, the telephone company still used alphabet letters in telephone number prefixes. The Nickel's number was UN2 4995. The "UN" stood for the "University" telephone exchange, and was eventually changed to 86 when technology transitioned to using only numerical digits.

In his farewell letter to the church, Frank included the poem and this short closing paragraph: 

We are deeply grateful for the sweet fellowship and the many kindnesses which we have enjoyed in the Grace Bible Church over the past years. ~Frank and Eva Nickel 

Today, please enjoy Frank's 40+ year old poem which is both a tribute and a "Thank you!" to the folks they had come to love in the Lord. The poem is readily applicable to many of our friendships and is an exhortation to serve the Lord faithfully with eternity's values in mind. 

An Ode to Friends
(Whom we love in the Lord)

There come some times in life when we
are forced to make a choice;
And though it hurts and spells much loss
our feelings cannot voice.

It may well seem that we've betrayed
our friends and gone insane.
Yes, this is why it's doubly hard;
we hate to cause them pain.

But there is One who sanctifies
for us both gain and loss,
if we but follow where He leads
and gladly bear our cross.

Let's praise the Lord for what we've gained
through fellowship we've shared,
and plan ahead when we'll resume
in mansions now prepared.

God works in a mysterious way;
His benefits are sweet.
Let's do our best so we may place
some trophies at His feet!

This life is but a transient scene,
like vapor fades away.
Let's make investments we can claim
on that eternal day.

fpn 2/77
Originally published on this blog: January 25, 2014



Photo: personal collection

The Change of Age

A few years back, folks noticed me,
smiled and wished my friends to be;
now where I go, it seems today
they sometimes look the other way.

Yes, my friend, I am growing old;
I don’t want a lot of gold—
specially the earthly kind.
I’ve got heaven on my mind.

There we’ll walk on streets of gold, 
in the Bible we are told.
Everything so nice and clean—
no more litter will be seen.

No drunk drivers on the street,
where true saints of God shall meet;
billboards won’t be telling lies,
smog won’t irritate your eyes.

Bags of garbage won’t disgrace
mansion lawns in yonder place;
we’ll not need a walking cane—
no arthritis—no more pain!

Folks will all be friendly there;
everyone will join in prayer.
Here, the atheists sport their craze;
there, we’ll all be singing praise!

We won’t need the trees for shade
where the roses never fade;
luscious fruit all year—much more—
all be rich and no one poor.

Life down here is not for long,
so I’ll sing my happy song
when I’m present in the fold,
no one there will call me old.

fpn/1985



Picture: depositphotos.com #19007777, standard license

A Sequel to “Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that really changed my ways;
I now hate sin and love the Lord—
try pleasing God these days.

The devil fiercely hates me now,
since Jesus set me free;
but I am more than conqueror,
through Him who first loved me!

Heaven will be great, I do agree;
and I’ll be glad to go;
but I’ve got work cut out for me,
and I’ll get with it now.

This life of give-and-take soon ends—
some dark days I will face;
but since my Saviour wlaks with me,
I’ll enjoy it, by His grace!

fpn/98



Picture: depositphotos.com #49096837, standard license

Remembering and Forgetting

It’s strange that we often remember
so much that we ought to forget;
and forget what we should have remembered,
that’s one reason we worry and fret.

Remembering the hurts other give us
won’t make our lives happy and sweet.
In fact, it will be just the opposite,
and we’ll burden the folks that we meet.

Forgetting the kind deeds of others,
believe me, is fully as bad;
for this is how favors quit coming;
it’s selfishness, which is so sad.

Remembering each good we engage in
and wanting our neighbors to see;
forgetting how often we’ve failed them—
what blind hypocrites we can be!

There’s one thing I’ve recently noted—
it’s funerals—where truth we must face;
we may promise to make worthwhile changes,
yet how quickly these thoughts we erase.

Oh, teach us, dear Lord, then, to number
our days—yes, they really are few;
and open our hearts to Thy wisdom,
securing our “Well done” from You!

fpn/79

Picture: depositphotos.com #104026080, standard license