Yesterday I attended the funeral of a friend who passed away at the age of fifty-five. She had been diagnosed with cancer four months ago and died Sunday night, Easter Sunday. During the funeral service yesterday, the Pastor told everyone that she had told him she wanted to make sure she knew where she was going when she left this world. He assured everyone that she was in Heaven sitting at the feet of Jesus. My friend left her mother, her husband, a son and a daughter behind. I’m so glad my friend had the opportunity to make sure she would be with the Father in Heaven and for those four months she and her husband had to say good-bye to each other.
I watched her husband yesterday as he tried so hard to be strong and assure everyone he was okay. He has Multiple Sclerosis and the disease is taking its toll on him as he is now walking with a cane. Through the diagnosis and progression of the disease and now his wife’s death he has managed to always keep a positive attitude and is always “okay”. I will always remember his wife as being upbeat and happy. If he should leave this world before me, I will remember him as being positive and strong. I sat there yesterday reflecting over the memories of my friend and wondered what will be said about me when I leave this world.
I know there are some people that will only remember the mistakes I’ve made, the bad things I’ve done regardless of how many wonderful things I may do or accomplish before I leave this world. I know that I’ve spent far too much of my life working, fighting, sacrificing some of the very things that are truly the most important to me in order to try to obtain ‘things’, ‘possessions’ for our family.
I’ve realized the most important things to me are my relationship with the Lord, what I do for His kingdom and my family. When I leave this world, I will not be able to take the possessions I’ve worked so hard to obtain with me and they will not matter to the ones I love and that love me. What will truly matter will be the memories I leave behind because when I am gone from here, my only remaining existence will be the memories I’ve created and left with loved ones. When those loved ones are gone, my only existence will be the influence I’ve had with loved ones that they have passed on to their loved ones.
I pray that the Lord will help me to make the most of each day, to take advantage of every opportunity to do good and be a witness for Him, to be a positive influence on my loved ones and leave them with wonderful, happy and positive memories, to never fail to let the ones I love know how much they mean to me if tomorrow never comes.
I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to make sure of where you will spend enternity. Many of us may not have a four month warning like my friend did. Many of us may be gone in the blink of an eye. If you do not know the Lord as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to accept Him and know Him now. Also, please take advantage of every opportunity to let those you love know just how much you love them today, just in case tomorrow never comes.
I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to make sure of where you will spend enternity. Many of us may not have a four month warning like my friend did. Many of us may be gone in the blink of an eye. If you do not know the Lord as your Lord and Savior, I invite you to accept Him and know Him now. Also, please take advantage of every opportunity to let those you love know just how much you love them today, just in case tomorrow never comes.
