Yet another day filled to the brim with goals, plans, to-do lists and such. But, it’s with a heavy heart that I sit here replaying the day’s events and longing to just share a recipe or post a delicious pic of my lunch or maybe dinner, but instead, find myself thinking of a friend. Last week, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, I learned that a good friend of ours had suffered a stroke. This beautiful women is one that my family and I consider to be more family, than friend. Someone who has laughed with us, helped us during hard times and listened when I needed a shoulder to cry on. I would consider her to be a second mother to me. Just yesterday I was told she is in a coma. Tonight I am told that she is getting worse. I have suffered only a few great losses in my life. Nowadays I see death differently than I did just say, even less than a year ago. I know that death is a part of life. Does that make it easier to deal with? For me, yes.. I know that God has a plan for each of our lives and when the time comes, that life will end.
For some, this is not comforting. I can understand that. But, it does not change the outcome. Do I wish I could go back a week and chat with her longer than just a passing hello? Yes. If she does not recover, will I be sad? Yes. Does it change God’s plan? No. We hear so many cliches about living life to the fullest, or living each day as if it’s our last. But, do we really truly believe this? I believe there are some of us that do, but I suspect that most don’t. I can say from experience, that until I actually felt the pain and shock of an unexpected death of a loved one, I only half believed those cliches. Now I realize that even if they may be man-made verbal security blankets, God’s word tells us to be mindful of how we utilize the time we have on this earth. Not many of us are privy to the exact moment of our death. I don’t know that I would want to be. But, while I am still here, I know that I have work to do. I have always wondered about my death, not so much how, but rather, the impact on those left behind. Will my death leave a void or most important, will my life fill a void? Will I make an impact on this world with what I have contributed in using the gifts God has given me? Or will my death be just another moment in time? I want to spend whatever time I have left, expending as much energy and time and resources as I can, to further God’s kingdom. Because really, the thought of death is a welcomed comfort when you know that your eternity will be spent with God.
Still, my thoughts and prayers are with all of the family and friends of our dear loved one. I can say with great certainty that her life has made an impact.
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
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