“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
What if someone you love was taken away tomorrow? How would you approach this day with them? Would you have a greater sense of urgency to talk with them? Spend time with them? Tell them about Jesus Christ and eternity? Thank them for their contribution to and in your life.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, I called my 90 year old father before I left on a plane for Alaska with my son. My dad’s health had been declining and he was pondering having major heart surgery. Before I left on that trip, God compelled me to call my father and to just let him talk. As he was finishing talking with me, he said as he often did, “Myron, pray for me.”
What a gift his request was to me. The last month of his life, I would pray with my dad every time as we finished our phone calls. This day, God compelled me to pray affirming words over my father. Over the man and father that he was to me, especially in his latter years. What a presence of faith that he was to his family. What an example of steadfastness, of sacrifice, of encouragement, of correction, of love to me and to my family. He was a kind and loving example to my family. He loved Megan, Benton, Malia and Kensley so well. He always kissed me in front of my kids, teaching them the value of tactile affirmation. My prayer of thanks for him would be my last with him as God called him to Heaven five days later. What a gift that goodbye conversation and prayer was for me…and I pray it was for him.
As I have written before, I love the African proverb that says “when an old man dies, a library burns down.” My library burned down 7-25-23, but so many beautiful books and lessons live on because of the value we placed on the time we had.
So my question for you today is who do you need to run to? Who do you need to affirm their value and contribution of their life in yours? Who do you need to set aside petty or massive disagreements and establish the value of eternity? The value of the individual versus the hurt of fleeting moments that are this temporary life.
Can I encourage you to take a bold step today of humbling yourself in front of those who might not be here tomorrow. Our family has a policy of not leaving the house without kissing one another and affirming our love for one another. We do this because we recognize how fragile and temporary this life is. We leave one another with ‘I love you.’ Don’t allow someone to leave this life without their knowing that you love them beyond all disagreements.
If a car comes left of center today, our World can change in a split second. If plaque lets loose in our loved one’s arteries, the next moments might be planning their memorial service. Life is fragile. Eternity is eternal. Seventy, eighty, 100 years cannot be measured in comparison to eternity. Love those in your life well, today! Love them enough to affirm them and to introduce them to Jesus. Nothing is more important than relationship with Jesus Christ. Show them that their relationship with him matters to you.
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.” Matthew 13:32-37 MSG
I know where my father is. Reunited with my mother and so many saints that I was privileged to know and learn from in this life. What a gift that last conversation and prayer was with my dad. There are simply no regrets. Sadness at his absence but joy in the way we parted.
Make today the day that the value of the individuals in your life become your life’s priority. The person matters most.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
You’ve got this.