Ready for the “Just In Case”

Here it is again … the start of another New Year. Where does the time go? It seems as though just yesterday we were all freaking out about Y2k. How is it possible that nearly two decades have come and gone since “the turn of the century?” So much time has passed, I’m suddenly at that age where I preface every story with, “why, back in MY day …”

Looking ahead at the New Year, many of us make resolutions, long or short-range plans or set goals that will hopefully better our lives. One of my goals for 2019, is to learn to enjoy day-to-day life more. Live in the moment. Stop wasting my life fretting or worrying over things I can’t control or things that may never actually happen.

Life today is fraught with constant busyness. There are nights that I’ll climb into bed and wonder what I did all day? Did I spend my allotted hours on noble pursuits or time-wasting endeavors? Did I include God in anything? Did I take the time to laugh or offer a kind word to anyone? Did I share the Gospel? Did I take even a scant moment to look around at all that I have and thank God for life’s many blessings?

My desire to take pleasure in the little things of life was actually borne out of tragedy. The last few months of 2018, I attended three funerals for three men who died tragically and unexpectedly. Violent accidents claimed the lives of two of the men; the third was a former boss of mine who died peacefully from a sleep disorder. All three loved the Lord, had families and plans for their futures and their careers.

I imagine at the start of last year, none of these men ever thought that God would take them home in less than a year’s time. A sudden, unexpected death isn’t something most of us plan for.

Death always makes me appreciate the joy of living. As I look ahead, I’m making plans for the future as much as I can, while still doing my best to live in the present. Every dinner with friends or family, every hug from one of my grand-kids, every family milestone … I’m soaking them all up. I don’t want to take anything for granted.

We hear it all the time: Life’s too short to waste time on … FILL IN THE BLANK. No one knows what a day will bring. Jesus could come back tomorrow, or not for a thousand years. We could die next week or live to 110.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14-15 (NLT)

Whatever comes my way, I hope to be ready. Ready to share a smile, a kind word, lend a hand or just love life … just in case.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42 (NLT)

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.