"Standing on a Hill"

by Max D. Hutto ©
www.upwardlook.org

I stood on the hill overlooking the bayou. The darkening sunset could be seen through the rusty brown cypress leaves as they blew in the north wind. I stood there breathing in the cold air, glad to be home. It was the day before Thanksgiving during my first semester in college. It had been a lonely semester since it was my first time to be away from home. I had missed my hill and bayou, but most of all I had missed my family. Now I stood there waiting for my older siblings to arrive with their families. It brought joy to my heart to be with family.

My only joy the previous few months had been my relationship with the Lord Jesus. Being away from home, I held tight to my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. It was only through Him that I had the strength to make it through that semester. Now as I stood on my hill, I was reminded of another hill, the hill of Calvary. On that hill, Jesus had given His life to pay the penalty for my sins. I deserved to spend eternity in hell because of my sin, my rebellion against God. Yet Jesus took my punishment so that I could have eternal life in Heaven. There was nothing I could do to deserve this wonderful gift. I could only accept the gift of salvation with a thankful heart. To this day, that is what I am most thankful for - my salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord.

As I remember that day on the hill overlooking the bayou, I think about my family. It has grown since that day. Now, I am married to a wonderful woman and we have two wonderful children. My oldest is in the midst of her first semester at that same college. I look forward to spending time with her and others in my family during this Thanksgiving season. To me this season is for spending time with family, remembering what God has given you, and giving Him thanks.

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB

© Copyright 2004, Max D. Hutto, Minden, Louisiana www.upwardlook.org
Photo - Copyright 2001 by Lonnie W. Hutto,
NASB -    New American Standard Bible,   - Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)