I received a telephone call at home the other night from a man I’ve known since the early 1970s.  It’s been a little over 15 years since I’ve seen him, but time melted away as we reminisced.

Thirty-five years ago Billy and his family moved back from western South Dakota to live near his folks.  It was Billy’s intention to set up a grade B dairy on his dad’s farm.  Somehow he and his wife and three kids wound up in the Sunday morning service in our little building on the edge of town.  That was in February of 1974.  That week I went to Billy’s house to see him, but he wasn’t there.  As I talked with his wife and children, I discovered that she was a believer.  I promised to return when her husband was home.

I think it was the next week (I can’t be sure, after all, it’s been over 30 years!) that I returned.  Billy was home, and as we sat at the kitchen table it was plain that he’d never trusted in Jesus alone for salvation.  As I explained the Truth to him, the Holy Spirit moved in his heart, and he invited the Lord Jesus into his life.  Subsequently both his dad and his mom and a married sister all gave their hearts to Jesus.  I stood by his parents’ graves two weeks ago.  His sister’s children are walking with Jesus. 

“February 20, 1974,” he said the other night on the telephone.  I baptized Billy.  The dairy thing didn’t work out.  In a short time, later that year in fact, he moved his family back to the western part of the state.  They became active in a local church.  The kids grew up and left home.  And, from time to time, our paths crossed.  The fellowship was always great.

The last time I saw Billy was 15 years ago.  From that time to the other night, I don’t think we even talked via telephone.  He confessed that he’s never purchased a computer, so he doesn’t do email; and he only has a cell phone because his kids insisted.  He’s 73 now, long retired from the U. S. Postal Service.  But, he still loves Jesus, and is still involved in His work.

It was so good to speak with him once again.  So good!

Why am I telling you this?  I want you to think of one person whose life has blessed you in the past – maybe a long time in the past.  I want you to make contact with that person yet this week to tell that person how much you love and appreciate him or her.  I want you to do that because life is too short not to.  And, I want you to do that for what it will do for the person you call or write.