Orange Moon Tuesday October 28, 2025 "More Than a Memory

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(a repeat from last year)

    

               "More Than a Memory"  

   

 

   

      Today, October 28th,, will be a day of prayer for a friend from long ago.

     Bruce and I met in 1961 after my mother and I moved to Mobile, Alabama.  We were friends for about 5 years, doing all the things little boys do, playing, having fun, and without our knowing it, beginning to learn how to relate to other people.  We only saw each other once after he and his mother moved away, and I have not been able to track him down.  However, through the years I have often given thanks for a good friend, and most importantly, I have prayed for him.  

   This especially includes October 28, the day before my own birthday.  Bruce and I loved the fact that our days were so close together. It meant two parties would be help in the closest proximity!  His birthday remains easy for me to remember, and many years ago, I decided the day would provide a good opportunity to seek God's grace for Bruce.  I have not seen him in nearly 60 years, and I do not know know for sure that he is still on the planet.  God does, however, and each year I begin my intercession, "Heavenly Father, if Bruce is still with us, I pray…"

    What a gift God gives to us in praying for others, whether  from our past or in our present.  In many cases, like Bruce, no opportunity presents itself whereby we can do something with our hands.  However, we can always do something with our heart.  Or rather, we can seek the doings of God's heart and hand on behalf of others.  He commands that we do so, which makes intercession a responsibility.  "Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (I Samuel 12:23).  Even more, however, we should view our calling as a privilege of grace beyond compare.  A loving, almighty God makes available to us His willing heart and working hand for the benefit of others.  He moves within us to motivate and empower our intercession (Galatians 4:6).  Failure to consistently avail ourselves of such privileged responsibility constitutes a sad neglect, whereas prayer for others brings joy to God's heart, to our own, and to the hearts of those for whom we pray.  "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

   I do not expect to see Bruce again in this lifetime.  As mentioned, I may offer prayers for one no longer residing on the earth.  I suspect this is not the case because of how faithfully the Lord reminds me to seek His grace for Bruce.  I am glad to pray for my first true friend by seeking for him the heart and hand of my truest Friend.  What a gift, what a privilege, and what a responsibility as an abundantly willing and able Lord beckons my heart to the throne of grace to seek His bestowal for one who abides in my recall, but far more, in God's desire to meet whatever the needs of an old friend's heart and life may be.  Yes, praying for Bruce makes him more than a memory.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."

(I Timothy 2:1)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

(Titus 3:5)

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