Life and Death
The past weeks have been so busy and full of emotion. We welcomed a beautiful new little baby into our fellowship, and a couple of days later a dear friend and elder in our church went home to be with his Lord. Life and death, so close together. We made food for the funeral, food for the family with the new baby, and food for the memorial service in honor of our friend. Homeschooling happened here and there. And my house is in need of some serious attention.
The wife of the man who passed away is so dear to us. I have thought of her many nights as I lay in bed, praying. I know she was a good wife to her husband, and she is a good mother to their children (who are now all adults, with families of their own). I thought of how it would be to not have my husband with me anymore…to never be able to speak to him again, here on earth. It hurts to even think of it. It really puts things in perspective.
What is God’s will for me right now? Why, that would be taking care of the people right here in front of me. This amazing and indescribably dear husband and children, and my life with them. It’s so important. And the fact that He chose me for this job, and not someone else. It’s a humbling thought.
Oh, life is so short! Life with this beautiful family is so short. Somehow I ended up looking at some family pictures a few nights ago, and I just couldn’t believe how fast it has all gone. Fourteen years of marriage, five children, almost ten years of homeschooling. And my oldest child will be thirteen in a few months. (And she’s taller than me!)
The following quote by Randy Alcorn has been going around and around in my mind like a broken record (anyone still remember records??):
“Preempt later sorrow by choosing to do today what you will then realize you should have done. Don’t procrastinate obedience, holiness, purity, drawing close to God, and serving others. Live now the way that (if you don’t) you will one day wish you would have. No matter what age you are—even if you are over 60—you can begin to make God-honoring choices today.
Five minutes after we die we’ll know exactly how we should have lived. But then it will be too late to go back and change anything. God has given us His Word so we don’t have to wait until we die to know how we should have lived. There’s no second chance for the unbeliever–but also no second chance for the believer! Just as missionary C.T. Studd said, ‘Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.’
You and I have one life on earth to invest in heaven. Let’s not miss the opportunity.“
Isn’t that a beautiful encouragement to live for Jesus, with an eternal perspective?
Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment, Collette!
That is a beautiful quote. Good thoughts to ponder – and so true. I'll be thinking on this one today.
Wishing you a joy-filled and beautiful Wednesday, Joy!
♥Collette
Thank you so much, Deanna and Mitzi!
Very well said, I enjoyed reading this.
That is beautiful Joy, and you are so right…we need to live everyday serving the Lord!
I am sorry for this loss in your family's life…
Deanna
Thanks for stopping by, Elisabeth!
What a wonderful reminder. Our time with our husband and children is so precious.