Driving home from VBS last night, I got a call. Massive heart attack, unresponsive, no pulse. Went straight to the hospital emergency room, it was too late. My dad came out with tears. My uncle, my daddy's big brother, gone. I still cannot believe it. Only an hour before, my cousin, his son, and another uncle were with him. He was perfectly fine. No one even got the chance to say goodbye.
Last week word quickly spread through social media of the passing of Christian artist Toby Mac's son. He was only 21. So young. So unexpected. His loved ones didn't get the chance to say goodbye.
We've all experienced loss. Some we had time to prepare for, some so quickly it makes our head spin. I don't think one is easier than the other. What I do know, it's never easy. Ever.
Every time we experience a loss, we say things like, "let's not make a funeral the only time we see each other," or "live life to the fullest." All those things that death brings to our minds on how we should live. Then a few months pass and we have settled into our new normal, our comfortable routines.
What if we really lived? What if we really made an effort to spend time with family? What if we got over the grudge held too long and made that phone call? What if we used the good dishes on a regular Tuesday night? What if we took that trip we've been dreaming of? What if we did all the things we've always wanted to try? What if we made sure our loved ones knew we loved them? What if we shared Jesus with a lost loved one?
I have never, ever heard someone on their deathbed say that they regret making the phone call. Only that they regret not. They never regret taking the trip, they only regret not taking the trip. This life is so short. We are not promised tomorrow. If I have learned anything from the sudden passing of my mother-in-law, my uncle, and so many others, it is the reminder that anything can happen in any moment. When that moment comes, have we really lived? Do we know Jesus? Are we truly ready?
Friends, I want encourage you today. Examine your heart, make sure you have a true relationship with Jesus. Then, really, really live. Make the calls, forgive, let go of the grudge, laugh, use the good dishes, have fun, live.
Last week word quickly spread through social media of the passing of Christian artist Toby Mac's son. He was only 21. So young. So unexpected. His loved ones didn't get the chance to say goodbye.
We've all experienced loss. Some we had time to prepare for, some so quickly it makes our head spin. I don't think one is easier than the other. What I do know, it's never easy. Ever.
Every time we experience a loss, we say things like, "let's not make a funeral the only time we see each other," or "live life to the fullest." All those things that death brings to our minds on how we should live. Then a few months pass and we have settled into our new normal, our comfortable routines.
What if we really lived? What if we really made an effort to spend time with family? What if we got over the grudge held too long and made that phone call? What if we used the good dishes on a regular Tuesday night? What if we took that trip we've been dreaming of? What if we did all the things we've always wanted to try? What if we made sure our loved ones knew we loved them? What if we shared Jesus with a lost loved one?
I have never, ever heard someone on their deathbed say that they regret making the phone call. Only that they regret not. They never regret taking the trip, they only regret not taking the trip. This life is so short. We are not promised tomorrow. If I have learned anything from the sudden passing of my mother-in-law, my uncle, and so many others, it is the reminder that anything can happen in any moment. When that moment comes, have we really lived? Do we know Jesus? Are we truly ready?
Friends, I want encourage you today. Examine your heart, make sure you have a true relationship with Jesus. Then, really, really live. Make the calls, forgive, let go of the grudge, laugh, use the good dishes, have fun, live.
It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.
Powerful message for us all: "Make the calls, forgive, let go of the grudge, laugh, use the good dishes, have fun, live." Praying for you and your family today.
ReplyDeleteMy post today: http://www.joanneviola.com/2019/10/the-message-of-fall/
I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. Losing someone really does make us think about how we live life. I like your encouragement to really live life, but we can not do that if we do not know Jesus. I wrote about showing our spouse appreciation this week, http://keepingthetiethatbinds.com/2019/10/30/4-easy-ways-to-show-your-spouse-appreciation/
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about this most recent loss. You're right, it's not easy either way. My mom passed away very suddenly of a massive heart attack at age 68, with no chance to say good-bye. My mother-in-law lived until age 90, bedridden in our home the last five years, unable to speak the last two. Whether death is sudden or seemingly drawn out, it's not easy. It does have a way of crystallizing for us what's important. I pray for your family during this time.
ReplyDeleteI wrote this week about what the Bible says about riches: https://barbarah.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/is-it-a-sin-to-be-rich/.
I am so sorry for the loss of your uncle. :( As others have said here, it's never easy, regardless of the situation. But those unexpected ones definitely catch us off guard, even though we know that everyone eventually dies. Prayers for your family as you grieve this loss.
ReplyDeleteI wrote today about 4 books I recommend:
https://www.lisanotes.com/books-i-recommend-october-2019/