Pastor Mike Nodland of the Christian Fellowship Church in Vining, IA.

When my dad was living, I shopped for groceries for him in his elder years. He wanted his “3 P’s” to life: Pizza, Pop, and Potato Chips! How could life go on without these?

Cleaning out his home when he went to a nursing home, I found an array of untouched foods that boggles the mind, like frozen chicken from ten years earlier, and a can of expired veggies from 1987! (A keeper, for sure!)

Deep cleaning our home, I found scary items I’ve clung onto, also: 18 aluminum pie pans, 17 plastic pastry dishes and a tote I keep filling with papers vitally important to me…5 years ago, spare light bulbs to light my entire house twice, 2 CD players (non-working); and my wife found over 55 pairs of socks, countless scarfs, and nylons! We’re guilty!

Returning to my dad, I faithfully brought him candy to enjoy in the nursing home. Politely, he would open his bedside top drawer crammed with candy, then the next drawer down, also crammed with candy — and yup, the third drawer, too. So, back to the top drawer where he smashed the other candies down to press my contribution in sideways and force the drawer closed!

Everything expires, fades, wastes away, but one: Jesus’ love for you! Receive His forgiveness and trust in Him!