In this day that we are living, people are busier than ever with the daily
routines of life. We are promised extra time for ourselves because of the
widespread technological advances, but I know very few people who actually
benefit from the extra time they are promised. Every person is busy in
their own way and very few people think on or keep in mind how short life
really is. The Bible talks on the shortness of life as we read in James
4:14, “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away.” Life is short no matter how long
it may seem right now and that is all the more reason that we keep things
in perspective and remember that our family and friends ones are the most
important aspect of our lives. (Luke 12:22-24) (Matthew 5:43-48)
I hope you are both inspired and challenged by today's message.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
On my way home from coaching basketball yesterday, I was listening to WGN;
my favorite talk radio station out of Chicago. I could tell right away
that there was something wrong by the somber mood of the speaker. There
had been a plane crash. Two small planes collided into each other over a
northern suburb of Chicago. What made the story hit close to home was that
Bob Collins, the morning show man for WGN, was the pilot of one of the
planes and had been killed.
Later that night, as I made my 40 minute drive to my third shift job, I
listened as the station reminisced and paid tribute to a man who was loved
by many. They told story after story, describing him as the ultimate
friend, and a man who had lived life to the fullest. Genuine love and
affection poured in from all over the country. The more I listened about
how this man had influenced those around him, the more discouraged I became.
Why you ask?
I was discouraged because I wanted to know why we as a culture, wait until
somebody has passed away before we tell them how much we love them?
Why do we wait until someone's ears can't hear before we let them how much
they mean to us?
Why do we wait until it is too late before we recall the good qualities of
a person?
Why do we build someone up after they have gone into eternity? What good
does it do then? We share memory after memory, as we laugh, cry, and think
back about what was positive in a person's life. Yes, it does help us cope
with the grief of losing someone that was special to us. And yes, it does
bring those who are coping, closer together. But as we lovingly remember
this person, our words fall short of the ears that most needed to hear them.
Just once I would like to see a celebration of life, instead of a gathering
of death. A celebration where stories are told, eyes mist over, laughter
rings out; and as the speaker concludes his or her loving tribute, the
person they are honoring rises from their chair and gives them the biggest
bear hug! Wouldn't that be something! The special person gets to hear the
stories and come to the realization that they have made a difference on
this earth. And all this is done well before they leave their earthly
bodies and go into eternity. And when the inevitable funeral finally
comes, we can say good bye with the knowledge that they knew exactly how
people felt about them while they were here on earth.
I now have a stronger resolve to tell those around me how much they mean
to me. I am going to let my wife know just how loved and appreciated she
is, not only by my words, but also by my actions. I am going to play
Batman with my four year old more often, and in the middle of our romping,
I am going to grab him, hug him tightly, and tell him how thankful I am
that he is my son. I am going to sneak into my sleeping toddler's bedroom,
place my lips on his chubby cheek, and thank God for the bundle of joy he
has brought into my life. Each day I will make a point to tell both of my
boys how much I love them, whether they are four or eighteen! From there,
I am going to let family and friends know the tremendous impact they have
had on my life. And last but not least, I am going to let the high school
players I coach know that I look forward to each and every minute that I
get to spend with them in the gym…
Do you love someone? Then tell them! Has someone been an influence in your
life? Then give them a call! Has someone made a difference in your life?
Then write them a letter or send them an email! Don't let another day go
by without letting that person know. There is something special about a
written letter that expresses feelings of love towards another. I don't
know about you, but I have letters and cards from people that I have saved
for years, and from time to time, I get them out and re-read them. They
can turn a depressing day into one where you realize just how blessed and
loved you are.
Life is too short to leave kind words unsaid. The words you say, or the
letter you write, might just make all the difference in the world.
By Michael T. Powers
I hope you have been encouraged to keep in mind how short life is when
compared to eternity and inspired to show your love now towards those that
you care for because you never know when this privilege will be gone.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved
us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God
so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at
any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is
perfected in us.”
1 John 2:9-11 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother,
is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the
light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth
his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not
whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity
never faileth…”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. |
