I hope your paying attention. This blog post is important so if you aren't paying attention do so now.
Life is short!
I know that isn't much of a revelation for most people but as a society I think we take our days for granted. I write tonight with a heavy heart. A couple of days ago a dear friend lost her mother unexpectedly. My friend has been battling a pretty serious health condition since spring and then this happens out of nowhere. Later that night I learned that an extended family member's daughter was fighting for her life. Kaitlyn had been struggling with some health issues for several months and suddenly stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Earlier this evening she lost that battle. I believe that she was a senior in high school. Finally, I was stunned by the news of a young woman from the city I live in choose to end her own life today. She left behind a young son and numerous friends and family members who are friends of mine. I didn't know her that well, enough to say hi basically. I just remember her infectious smile when I would see her at different local events.
All three of these ladies left this earth earlier than most of us probably think they should have. We don't know why these things happen, they are beyond our control. We just get left to wonder why. A short word that leaves us with so much to wonder.
Why?
I believe that we will probably never really know why these things happen but I wholeheartedly believe that they happen for a reason.
If you have read my blog before than you probably know that I am a Christian. I believe the Bible is a guidebook for us to rely on while we travel our road to eternity. I make no apologies for my beliefs and I don't judge you if you feel differently but I am going to be blunt here.
God is in control! Regardless of how much pain, turmoil, strife, etc... we may go through He has said that he will not give us anymore than we can handle. I often think of Job and all that he had and lost but that he remained faithful to God through it all. Now I know I am no Lot but I always try to remain faithful, but I fail at times.
Sometimes I think the "bad" things happen to serve as a wake up call for others or even ourselves. I am reminded of a song by the late Rich Mullins entitled "Live Right" The lyrics of the chorus are:
But don't hold out, don't let these chances pass you by
Here's your life, you're gonna get it right
Live like you'll die tomorrow
Die knowing you'll live forever, live right
Love like you'll leave tomorrow
Believing love lasts forever, live right
These words have been going through my mind all evening. The three tragic events I mentioned are horrific. I can't imagine losing my mother, one of my daughters, or a friend like loved ones of mine have this weekend. My heart aches for those that did. I want everyone that reads this to understand that you just don't know when someone is going to leave this life. You don't know when it is going to be your time. You have to be sure to take advantage of the moments we do have. I don't know that anyone could have changed the events of this weekend but I think of the young mother who chose to end her life. I don't know what she was dealing with but I hope and pray that her situation can awaken others to the fact that people around us are hurting and we need to reach out and love them. Christ told us to love our neighbors, he also told us to love our enemies. People, we need to love each other and let each other know that we care. We don't know when someone we care about is going to be gone, don't let them leave with out knowing that you love them. Parents, hug your kids an extra time tonight. Kids, tell your parents you love them. Friends, let your friends know you care.
I may have rambled a bit tonight, but this was hard to write with soggy eyes.
If you get nothing else from this rambling of mine get this:
from John 15:17
"This I command you, that you love one another."
And if your interested here is a link to the Rich Mullins song "Live Right"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFFhkoz3BHc
I love YOU!
ReplyDelete