---by Elisabeth Allen from Twenty Three and Soaring
Sometimes things happen ... big things. Important things. Life-changing things.
When things like this happen, it's like receiving a wake-up call ... a reality check. When things like this happen in my life, I'm forced to re-evaluate my life and priorities in the light of God and Eternity ... to ask myself, "What are the things that really matter to me ... to my family and friends ... to God? What are the things that will really matter when I'm 99? What are the things that will really matter when I see my Saviour face-to-face and embark on Eternity with Him ... when I hope to hear Him say,'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"
Something happened in my family's and my life recently. Something big ... important ... life-changing ...
Two of our 'bestest' and closest friends - a husband and wife - have been diagnosed with cancer. Both of them. These friends go way back ... I can hardly remember a time when we didn't know them. They were our pastor and pastor's wife ... he baptised me ... he called me his 'daughter' ... she told friends we were 'family' ... we've laughed and cried with them ... we've stayed in their house over and over again - touring their part of the country and driving their cars, staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning playing games and talking with them, finally going to sleep scattered around on the floor of the family room and spare bedroom (when there weren't enough beds to go round!).
And now ... now they've both got cancer. Maybe they'll be fine and live on to old age and great-grandparenthood, maybe their cancer isn't life-threatening or dangerous, maybe science can beat the cancer and save their lives. And God already knows what His plans for them are ... I know He does ... but I don't know anything else. So I'm asking myself, "What are the things that really matter? The laughter and tears and memories we share with our friends? The thousand or more miles between us now? The special - priceless! - things behind us? The Eternity to before us?"
More than that ... I'm asking myself, "Am I investing in the things that really matter? Am I pouring my heart and soul - giving up my life - into the things that really matter? If I was diagnosed with cancer, would the news rouse much love and concern? Would I leave behind me the things that really matter? Would I qualify to see my Saviour smile and hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"
I've received a wake-up call and a reality check. Have I heeded them and asked myself, "What are the things that really matter?"
Sometimes things happen ... big things. Important things. Life-changing things.
When things like this happen, it's like receiving a wake-up call ... a reality check. When things like this happen in my life, I'm forced to re-evaluate my life and priorities in the light of God and Eternity ... to ask myself, "What are the things that really matter to me ... to my family and friends ... to God? What are the things that will really matter when I'm 99? What are the things that will really matter when I see my Saviour face-to-face and embark on Eternity with Him ... when I hope to hear Him say,'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"
Something happened in my family's and my life recently. Something big ... important ... life-changing ...
Two of our 'bestest' and closest friends - a husband and wife - have been diagnosed with cancer. Both of them. These friends go way back ... I can hardly remember a time when we didn't know them. They were our pastor and pastor's wife ... he baptised me ... he called me his 'daughter' ... she told friends we were 'family' ... we've laughed and cried with them ... we've stayed in their house over and over again - touring their part of the country and driving their cars, staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning playing games and talking with them, finally going to sleep scattered around on the floor of the family room and spare bedroom (when there weren't enough beds to go round!).
And now ... now they've both got cancer. Maybe they'll be fine and live on to old age and great-grandparenthood, maybe their cancer isn't life-threatening or dangerous, maybe science can beat the cancer and save their lives. And God already knows what His plans for them are ... I know He does ... but I don't know anything else. So I'm asking myself, "What are the things that really matter? The laughter and tears and memories we share with our friends? The thousand or more miles between us now? The special - priceless! - things behind us? The Eternity to before us?"
More than that ... I'm asking myself, "Am I investing in the things that really matter? Am I pouring my heart and soul - giving up my life - into the things that really matter? If I was diagnosed with cancer, would the news rouse much love and concern? Would I leave behind me the things that really matter? Would I qualify to see my Saviour smile and hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"
I've received a wake-up call and a reality check. Have I heeded them and asked myself, "What are the things that really matter?"
I'm so sorry for your friends. I will be sure to keep them in my prayers. I just started a Novena to St. Peregrine for another friend and will be adding yours to the list.
ReplyDeleteLove matters, letting go matters, don´t feel like it´s the end of the world even if your mind is troubled by very harsh worries.
ReplyDeleteHeaven is great, heaven is mighty, pray for them and let go. You have to let go, God has a great plan for each and every person. Trust in God and pray there is no more that you can do. My uncle has experienced cancer twice, the second time even more sever than before but he is healed and clean for now, watching his first grandchild growing up. I prayed for him. Prayers don´t save the lives of each and every person but God does listen to the prayers. Praying is the best start of letting go. I love you as my sister for writin this beautiful text and I pray for you and your friends that feel like family. Please hold on to faith and organise fun and loving events like chatting till 3 outside with the beautiful fog of nature surrounding you.
I read this yesterday on a blog and I knew I had to save it to share it with someone; “My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.” ♥ St. Thérèse de Lisieux
Be strong, we care for you.