Through Good Times and Bad

July 15, 2026

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

Hello MAC Family,

I hope you are doing well this summer. Summertime is an interesting mixture of heat, vacations, no school, good times and daily routines. Usually for me, before I am aware of it, the school year is ready to begin again. I am actually looking at the preaching calendar for 2027 this week. How can that be!? Things just have a way of creeping up on us!

Vonnie and I will have a wedding anniversary soon. Where have all those years gone? Weddings are one of those major points in time that we remember. I remember ours because it was so unlike what we would want now if we could do it again. The clothes we wore, the location, the cost, the people who attended. Who can foretell the future and where the hands of Time will take us?

God has been so good to Vonnie and me. I didn’t see any of it coming. I was too shortsighted in my understanding of God’s Love, the passing of time, the uncertainty of life itself, the inner connectedness of it all. Maturity opens our eye to God’s direction.

Jesus in love said to His disciples “I have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. If we could see the future, we would be overwhelmed. Yes, we would see the good moments-the birth of children, a job promotion, a new house. But we would also see the pain-deaths, tears, frustrations. That is why God in His goodness gives us Life one day at a time. To be lived. To be enjoyed. To be thankful.

To be challenged. To cling to Him. To do all things through Him who strengthens us.

It reminds me of this short poem that is attributed to Mark Twain, though there is some uncertainty if he is the author. It doesn’t really matter. It is meaningful anyway.

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;

I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;

I cannot promise you an easy pathway

That leads away from change or growing old.

But I can promise all my heart's devotion;

A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;

A love that's ever true and ever growing;

A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

I would love to say I wrote this for Vonnie. But it is full of truth, isn’t it? “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus. That’s all I’m asking from You.” Walk with God, Church Family. Hold His Hand, walk tall, be prepared in season and out of season. Through good times and bad-He is Lord.