Life is short is it not? Some of our days seem to drag on in a mindless habitual way. Mostly, the noise of life that gets thrown at us constantly gets in the way of quiet thinking and relection about the things that really matter. Shiny objects get old, trends come and go, modern becomes vintage and time rolls on.
I’m having fun with the grandkids at a wonderful picnic with our church family on Mother’s Day. It’s a beautiful afternoon, the sun is shining and I’m laughing with friends and family. Next thing I know I get a phone call that tells me that my father is in ICU and although he is stable I should try and fly out tonight. WHAT? I was just there a month ago!
I run home and have to wake up my husband who works swing shifts. The house is now a buzz with two of my daughters and one of my son in law’s helping me hold it together, looking for flights, packing and audibly processing the situation. In my heart is the conflict of fear and quite frankly a little bit of irritation. We have tried for a long time to help him relocate near us where he has children, grand children, and great grandchildren to help take care of him and my step-mother. He refuses and that is his choice to make. All I can do is show him the love of Christ the best I know how and learn from his behavior.
It’s now 2 weeks since I’ve been home. He is out of ICU and in a rehabilitative nursing home. He is very, very weak but on the road to recovery. We think so anyway. Our family has had several life and death medical drama’s in the past few years. I won’t cover them all here-thats another blog. But due to those brushes with death I try to express my love and appreciation to those around me.
It makes me consider the famous business practice made famous by Steven Covey. Begin with the End in Mind. As a disciple of Christ I make every effort (at least I hope I do) to ponder standing before Him at the end of my days. This gives me the courage to see the noise of the world clearly. A lot of what I recognize is loud, raucous lies meant to dazzle my mind and squander my attention to insignificant meaningless trifles. May we hear that still, small voice that helps us to live without regret.
Teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12