Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:14, 15 NIV)
It is so easy to wish the days away. In the past month, my mind has flitted from one task to the next in impatient succession: "First I have to pack my house, then the moving truck, then unpack, organize, clean and paint, and then I'll be able to relax."
Well, we've been in Tiskilwa for nearly a month and I can assure you that I have not yet relaxed. I'm busy doing things around the house like cleaning, preparing meals, organizing, getting paperwork together, chasing children (and now a dog!). To say I've enjoyed every minute is a flat out lie.
I'm in the bad habit of always looking forward to the next task instead of living in the moment. And then suddenly I look at my children and realize I've missed the good stuff. I've been so busy gathering paperwork to enroll Maddie in school that I missed her putting the leash on Oliver and taking him out to go potty (without my asking!) all by her big self. I've been so obsessed with arranging and rearranging things in my new home that I brushed off Ava's sweet invitation to join her in a make-believe game of My Little Ponies. Life is far too short to miss these precious moments.
I am reminded of the frailty and brevity of life this week because of a tragedy in one of our congregations. Todd is performing his very first funeral tomorrow for a baby that died just days away from her due date. I cannot even begin to comprehend the sadness and loss that the parents and family are going through. But I can wrap my mind around the thought that this poor mother would give nearly anything for just a moment with her lost child, while I casually brush off my children when it's inconvenient to take my attention off of another task.
It's a staggering and sobering thought.
James tells us in the above verse that we are but a mist that appears for a short time, then vanishes. God has an appointed amount of time set aside for us on this earth, and only He knows when He will call us back home. It is our job to make the most of the time we're given to His glory and purpose.
So if you stop by the house in the next few days and there are toys on the ground, dishes in the sink, and laundry unfolded, be happy for me. I will likely be with my family enjoying life's precious moments.
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So true Christina. I can, unfortunately, look back to the time when my kids were little and remember those moments when cleaning seemed more important than playing. Wishing that I could get those moments back, knowing that I can't. When we remember that each day is truly a gift from God we can take the time to thank him and enjoy the gift we'be been given.
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