Unnecessary Regret

Life. We have no idea of its value, no understanding of its importance, until it is nearly snatched from us. That loved one we so casually ignore, or assume will always be there, will someday be gone.

We interact with one another saying, “See ya later”, and if we’ve taken a step away from them, we wave and continue without pausing to turn back, and hug them goodbye.

As family, we always assume, there will be a “next time”. We assume that person “knows” we love them. We take for granted they will be there that next time. We can call them later. We will see them another time.

Never leave someone you love without a hug goodbye, without looking them in the eyes and purposely, from your heart, tell them you love them. Always squeeze a hand, rub a shoulder, offer a soft kiss, because that next time may not come. Tomorrow may not arrive for them, or for you.

Life. God gave us life to love one another. Get busy loving. You don’t have a minute to waste, but you may have a lifetime of regret.

Unexpected Detour

How do we ever know when we're too busy? During our "busyness", how do we know when we need to slow down, or to stop and catch our breath? Most of the time, we don't. Most of the time, something has to give...something has to get our attention.

I had one such moment recently. What was mine? A health scare. A serious one, one that comes out of nowhere...one that puts you flat on your back, one that interupts your day...your routine, one that brings you face to face with eternity, and the very real possibility of dying.
Yes, the fact that I write about it now shows that I survived, recovered, and now reflect.

Until you are flat on your back for several days, you sometimes fail to hear God. He is a thought in a prayer, or a momentary comfort, or a bit of wisdom during a time of need. He generally doesn't have our full attention. During my days on my back, surrounded by family and friends, I came to realize, I had been "detoured" from my routine...I was pulled aside by God. He needed to talk to me, and I had been too busy to listen. Now, I was all ears. What did he say to me? Why had I been removed from the "norm"?

The things God spoke to me are far to numerous to list, let alone share in a blog. However, his "detour" took me away from rough roads, pot-holes, and roads of "doing it all myself", and he showed me clearly, that he is my rest, my strength, my guide, my wisdom, my direction, and my God...he, and he alone. I had been relying way too much on myself, what "I could do", I had taken on loads that God desires to carry, tried to do things he is supposed do, manage things he is supposed to manage.

The good news? I was given a clean bill of health. Even better news, God has shown me I can trust in him. He assured me of his peace. He demonstrated how fragile life is...how quickly we can be here one minute, and gone the next. He showed me to slow down and enjoy life, not to stress over things he already has under control. To pause often, to stop occationally, and to commune with him. Lastly, he showed me that at or near the end of life, I can confidently trust that he has my eternity firmly in hand.

Remember in your busy day, to take time throughout, to talk to God and even more importanly, to listen. It may very well prevent a major "detour" on the road of your life.