Photo taken 2009 at Alsea Bay, Oregon
It took me all week to gather what to say for this week's post. Maybe it will be like that every week. Where I sort through my thoughts and the Lord finally places on my heart Saturday morning what to say. ;)
This week's bible study was a difficult one. We talked about our lives being so short that we should count each day special and live like it is our last. One of the questions in our discussion group was "Do you know anyone that lives everyday like that?" I thought about it carefully and came to the conclusion that I only know one person who lives everyday like it's their last. His name is George; he is my mother's husband.
My mom and George haven't been married a year yet. When I met him I fell in love with the guy. I mean, the guy doesn't stop talking. You have to love a guy who has that much to say at his age. Right? He doesn't stop sharing about God's love. He just doesn't stop. He's brilliant.
George has lived with a rare cancer for over nine years. When he was diagnosed, he was convicted and gave his live to God. Maybe you know someone who is sick and they are realizing life is too short to mess around. George had to be treated a different way with this cancer and was on an experimental treatment. He went to his doctor and told him that he wanted to get married and if he thought he had more time. The doctor said something like, "George, you have lived without the tumor growing for nine years! What are you waiting for." The month they returned to California, George started showing signs of the tumor growing. They gave him two weeks to live and it has been six months! He has been in the hospital several times since, and is there again this week. His body is deteriorating from the inside. He is still talking up a storm and doesn't stop telling others about God's love and grace. He doesn't let his sickness get in the way of telling others about how God changed his life around.
More than eight years ago I lost my best friend to cancer, overnight. She had no idea she had a tumor and it ruptured and she was gone within twenty four hours. She was one of those lovely people who didn't care for herself but went out of her way to serve others. She did more service in her 20 years of life than many people do in their whole lives. Her death brought many to come and know Jesus and she is a constant reminder to me and others of how are lives are suppose to be like.
In Psalms, Moses writes, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days... May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90: 12-17
Isn't that good? I read that this morning... We are suppose to find something that can remind us everyday that our days are minimal. Maybe a keyring on our key chain, charm, or something that we can carry with us to help us remember to live each day to the fullest. I thought a photo would do the trick. I would like to hang up this photo in our home as a reminder.
My son is a constant reminder that my days are few. Don't they grow up fast? I want these days to linger while he is still small. But, we all know that life goes too fast. Before we know it, my little guy will be grown and off to college. Then what? Did I do the job I was suppose to? I pray that God would "establish the work of our hands" to teach and guide him with each day that we have with him.
What would your reminder be?
