Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.
As this verse in Ecclesiastes reminds us, knowing that we will die someday should affect how we live today.
Unfortunately, many people never seem to understand what's important in life until they are faced with the end of it. A few years ago I received a letter illustrating this truth:
Frank was a wonderful man, but he was also stern and stoic; he taught his three boys to be strong, tough, no more tears, no more hugs and only manly handshakes at bedtimes. He liked things done his way. He was not a good listener.
Frank [developed] an incurable form of cancer that spread from his legs to his lungs, spleen and various parts of his body. He was 43 years old. Within days of learning he had cancer, he gave his life to Jesus. Frank began to trust in Jesus Christ and go to Him for strength and courage.
Hugging and loving his sons became a daily absolute in their lives. He shared from his heart with the boys, cried with them, told them how proud he was of them and how very much he loved them. He became the listening, loving husband every wife dreams of.
His last four months here on earth were filled with laughter and good times with his family. Even though the cancer was taking over his body, God gave him a quality life to the end. Frank prepared his family for his death and for the task ahead of them, so that they, too, would one day reach the goal and stand before the Throne.
Frank was fortunate to learn his true priorities while he still had a chance. I can't help but think of Senator Paul Tsongas, who said after his third bout with cancer: "I think of all the fathers who have young children and play golf all day Saturday and Sunday. They've never had cancer. I think of the husbands who never voice their affections for their wives. They've never had cancer."
Prayer: That God would give you the ability to live by those priorities.
Discuss: What would you do if you learned you had only one year to live?
6 comments:
Wow, that one really hits the soft spots. So, one year left. My first reaction is to spend every moment possible with my family. Share the good news relentlessly. Wow, this will take more than a few minutes to wrap my head around.
Hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day.
cas
OK, now I want to drive home and give everyone a big hug.
Truly humbling...I sometimes hesitate to reach out to those in need both spiritually and physically. I hesitate to play with the kids because something urgent needs my attention or I'm just about to finish a project and the kids move on to something else.
Father, I pray that you would help us all to have a keen awareness of how short and compact our lives are and live accordingly.
Definitely humbling. But this story talks about cancer and with that we have at least some time. But what about something more severe? Immediate? We then only have days or maybe hours?
Let's spend our time here as loving followers of Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas everybody!!!
wow - what a great quote by the senator - that really hit me.
Father, help me to recognize your blessings and the paths that you want us to walk....and to be bold following them. Amen
I pray that God would give me a humble spirit to give my family the attention they deserve.
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