Grandpa and I were walking the long old fence row, just below the old cornfield church. We were checking to see if there were any broken places in the fence. Grandpa wanted to be sure none of his farm stock could get out and roam the countryside. We walked and walked. The day was getting hotter as the sun cross over us at high noon. No fences broken yet. I asked Grandpa, “How much longer were we going to be checking the fences?" He just replied, “TTT”.
I said “what?” Grandpa just smiled and said, “Things Take Time”. TTT. Grandpa said the circuit preacher quoted Ecclesiastes 3: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
I said okay to Grandpa, but as an impatient kid, I wondered how much time. Grandpa said, "In good measure. After we drink half our water, then we will turn around and go back home." Ezekiel 4-11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.
I thought that was an odd way to know when to stop walking the fence row. But Grandpa always had an interesting wisdom about him. We walked on further. Then as we approached an old oak tree with a welcoming shade, Grandpa said “Lets rest here”. I said alright, I guess we TTT. One of those Things Take Time places.
Grandpa said, "Well you do know TTT means more than just one thing." I looked confused and asked him what else does it mean. Grandpa said to always Tell The Truth. Romans 3-4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Grandpa said some folks will tell a lie before they will tell a truth. So always first, TTT, Test The Truth. See if it is true. You see some folks have an agenda to rob, steal and destroy all you have. The most precious thing you own is your name. Time will cause your body to fade to dust, and a poor name will be forgotten. But if you Test The Truth, you will find out it is truth, John 4-1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Grandpa said once you know the truth, then T T T., Talk The Truth. John 8-32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Grandpa said “have you not noticed how easier it is to walk the fence row as we drank our water. The load became lighter in our water canteens. The travel got easier. It is like if you lie, the burden you will carry is like a heavy water canteen. Always there strapped around you neck, pulling its weight against your face. Causing pain and discomfort. The weight of the canteen pulling down on the strap around your neck. It will in time rub your neck raw and leave a mark on you for all to see.
Grandpa said also know the Time To Talk. Speak only when appropriate. Talking out of turn only leads to confusion and distrust. When you do speak, knowing the truth, stand Toe To Toe with those in opposition to the truth. Chose your words wisely. Choose the directions and tone of your words more so. Following the truth is like following this fence row. We walk with it till we see a break caused by some unknown source. We stop and mend the fence, kinda like we repair the lie to be back to the truth.
Grandpa then said, “Well I think TTT for us is unity. We worked together today. It took us both to repair the old broken fence. But If it had not been we were Together Today, Tomorrow would be a lot more worrisome. So as you walk your life's fence row, TTT. Think Things Through.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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Charles Finney
ccfinney@yahoo.com