By Doug De Graffenried

I was looking at my hands while driving to Shreveport. I noticed this spot on one of them. Now with all the worries about skin cancer and since I hung out on the beach and roasted myself as an adolescent, I was concerned about the spot on my hand. It looked funny through my sunglasses, and I made a note to check the spot when I finished driving. 

I arrived at the appointed hospital for the visit and remembered my hand. I made the visit, had prayer, was encouraged by the person’s faith and hope, and went to the lobby. There I examined my hand. I looked carefully at the spot on the top of my hand. I did what is in vogue in our world, I consulted Dr. Google.

So, I know you are curious about the spot. It is a symptom of a terminal condition. The hand is marking the first symptom of the incurable malady. I know you will pray for me through this malady, and I will receive good medical care.

Oh, the spot, it is an age spot! I think I grew the age spot for my last birthday. It is on the top of my right hand, and I have noticed that the left hand is growing matching spots.

I want you to live a good, long, and healthy life. I want you to do everything you need to do to avoid all the things that the latest study has revealed that shorten our lives. I want you to believe the media about living longer. Go ahead and buy all that stuff at Walmart that will bring your vitality and hide your age spots.

Did you know that a person who ate meat, drank dairy, ate vegetables, was exposed to sunlight, had minimal medical care, and was born in 1850 has a 100% chance of being dead today? Well, you caught my sarcasm!

Here is the deal, none of us get out of this life alive! You will not be the first. My words of advice, enjoy the journey!

Jesus promised us abundant life. Part of that abundant life is living this day fully trusting that God’s grace will see us through. Jesus also promised that after we are finished living that “He was the way, the truth, and the life” and that through Him we could come to the Father.

Whether you soul is spotted with the scars of sin, or your hands are showing the spots of age, we have hope.

Jesus, the carpenter promised that He has made a home for us in heaven, that promise is our only hope in the face of our spots.

Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.

You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com