History in My Garden

This morning, I am thinking about the end of the week, probably anxious for it to get here. Recognizing the solemn date that Saturday will be, I wondered about Friday, a day rather devoid of history. Doing a brief scan through events on September 10th the only thing I found of interest was that on September 10, 1977 the French executed a murder by Guillotine, a practice I would have thought was long out of use. That, however, was the final time the Guillotine was used as a form of execution. Granted, it’s a rather gruesome way to remember this date in history.


We would probably prefer to remember September 10, 2001. Most of us have little to remember that day, at least nothing grand or large. I was at the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville preparing to announce the livestock show for the next morning, making sure I had the correct pronunciation for any of the difficult names some of these owners tend to come up with for their cattle. None of us were prepared for what was about to happen the next morning. At the beginning of the show the next morning I was forced to make a very different kind of announcement to the people assembled there.

This year will be the ninth observance of the remembrance of 9-11. Each time it has involved solemn assemblies, tears, and a commitment to our liberties and freedoms. If we think about September 10, 2001 it is in the same mind as we think about December 6, 1941 or, maybe, July 3, 1776, days that are just ordinary days. Days we would like to have more of, especially when compared to some of the tragic days that followed them.

Unfortunately, we have little influence on the grand events of history, both the pleasant ones and the unpleasant ones. We are simply called upon to deal with the days before and after.

Imagine what we might have done if we had known. Aside from the answers about stopping the event itself, what would you do?

There is a quote that I have always heard attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo. However, at the writing of this article, I could not find it attributed to anyone. A legend has an individual asking the question of Augustine, “What would you do if you knew you were going to die this afternoon?”

The answer reflects the perfect peace of one who has lived life without regret, who has no fears or worries about tomorrow. “I would work in my garden in the morning.” Imagine that, living life in such a way that when its end was upon us there was no need to rush around to complete unfinished business, to say unsaid words, or to mend broken relationships.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)

Pastor Craig