Good morning from Perth in Western Australia

Twenty years ago I stopped smoking, and I haven't smoked since. For many of you that might seem a pretty unremarkable thing to remember, but for me it was life changing. It was not easy, and it was a long time afterwards before I could with confidence claim to be a non-smoker again. Since then whenever I am reminded of my smoking days I am humbly thankful to have been able to "kick the habit". 

Maybe the following will help to illustrate how important and life changing it was.

Some years ago an old friend and colleague from my teaching days visited us. We had not seen since him for several years as he had moved from Australia to Canada to take up a promotional position several years earlier. In fact, he had been the Principal of the school where I was teaching, and on his departure I  was appointed to his position. As well as being colleagues we were close friends, and after he left we kept contact, and when after some years he came to Australia we arranged to meet. This was especially poignant because we had recently been advised all was not well with him. He had been diagnosed with a particularly virulent form of bone marrow cancer, and we knew that he did not have long to live.  

As you do on such a visit, we spoke of many things, remembering the good  and not so good, the things we had shared which had gladdened and some of those which we saddened. Over it all, a tangible and acknowledged reality, lay the knowledge that this was the last time we would meet.

Then he made a comment which in the context was a remarkable thing. He said," The best thing we ever did was to stop smoking." You see, both he and I had been heavy smokers for many years, and both had for years tried to stop, and we had both thankfully eventually been successful. But even now, with the shadow of death hovering over him, he mentioned quitting as being one of the great events in his life.

This week, the 20th anniversary of my last cigarette, while I cherish the thought of the twenty smokeless years we have enjoyed, I also remember my friend who passed away not long after he left here to return home to Canada. My wife and I had the privilege of bringing him and his wife to the airport. He shook my hand, and said, “Till we meet again my friend."  You see, we shared more than friendship. We also shared our faith.  

I am thankful to be able to share this cherished memory with you. Join me on Sokule.

https://www.sokule.com/shande

I wish you a blessed day.

Steve