Aging brings many things—some delightful, some challenging. It reminds me of the familiar words of A Tale of Two Cities:“the best of times and the worst of times.”

When I look in the mirror without makeup—well, you understand!

But when I look through old photos, I remember beautiful moments. And more importantly, I’m reminded that I can create new, wonderful memories every single day.

Today was one of those days.

I had coffee with a dear friend—a refugee from Ukraine whom I met in a parking lot just two weeks after her arrival in the United States. Now she is expecting a baby boy, and I can hardly wait to hold him.

Later, I met with colleagues who are supporting me in my role as Founding President of the Triangle Christian Chamber of Commerce. Several of them will be joining me later this month at the National Conference of the US Christian Chamber of Commerce in Orlando. And as a special bonus, I’ll get to share a meal of delicious Indian food with my son.

Moments like these are thebest of times.

The same contrast appears in the news we hear each day. Traditional headlines often highlight fear, conflict, and uncertainty—stories that may or may not even be fully true. Yet conversations with people actively engaged in ministry and service around the world reveal something entirely different: hope, transformation, and quiet miracles happening every day.

For the past two years, my word has beenremnant.

I love this definition fromGotQuestions.org:
In the Bible, aremnantis a small, faithful group preserved by God’s grace—people who remain loyal to Him during times of widespread disobedience, difficulty, or upheaval. Throughout Scripture—whether it was Noah’s family, the returning exiles, or believers in Christ—God has always preserved a people to carry forward His promises, His hope, and His purpose.

In Gospel of Mark 12:10, we read:
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

As I write this, we are approaching Easter—a time that reminds us that what once looked like the worst of times became the very best of times.

I am deeply grateful for the memories of the past—and for the opportunity to create new ones today.

No matter what this day brings, I am confident of this: God wastes nothing. Even the moments that make no sense now are part of a greater story—one that will ultimately reveal His love and His purpose for our lives, a plan that began long before we were born.

P.S. The photo above was taken at Camp Don Lee decades ago when I went there for summer camp with my grandchildren. If you look carefully, at the end of the dock you will see a cross. It survived three hurricanes! Take courage!