As a kid, I remember that the end of July marked the halfway point in our summer vacation from school.  The summer that seemed endless when school got out in June was now limited to one more month, August.  The carefree days of swimming and playing would now be intruded upon by shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies.  I liked school, but I liked summer better!  This of course was when school didn’t begin until after Labor Day. 

So today here we are on July 31.   Are we halfway to anything?   I’ve long since passed the halfway mark of any reasonably expected lifespan.   Halfway through raising children or grandchildren?  No, that benchmark has also been passed.  I am halfway through writing summer blogs, maybe that would count? There must be something more significant about “halfway.”

It seems that Psalm 118 is considered the halfway point in the Bible.  Perhaps there is a message there for us today.  In verse 1, the Psalmist begins “Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good, and his love is eternal. Let the people of Israel say, ‘His love is eternal.’ Let the priests of God say, ‘His love is eternal.’ Let all who worship him say ‘His love is eternal.’”  

What better reminder for us – let the people of Joy Lutheran say, “His love is eternal!”  Let the people of Ocala say, “His love is eternal.”  Let all mankind remember, “His love is eternal!”  The unconditional love of God is not just for us today, not just for our lifetime, it is eternal, everlasting, without end! 

Praise be to God.

Judy