The Circle of Life

Over the past few weeks and days, the circle of life has been on my heart and mind. What a deep sadness we experience when our loved ones are diagnosed with critical conditions or when we lose someone we love. It is a comfort knowing that we have our Heavenly Father to turn to at these times, but even though we have Him there is a grieving process we must walk through to heal the pain and loss.

It is natural to feel pain and loss even as Christians. Just because you believe in eternity, it does not make the feeling or depth of loss any easier. You still lose someone from earth that means very much to you. You go to make those phone calls to them and then realize suddenly that they are no longer with you on earth. Over the past several weeks, God has given me a realization in my heart like never before how precious this life is and how our relationships on earth should be cherished. Never take a day or a relationship for granted. "Don't let the sun go down with anger in your heart". How petty we are at times and we don't even realize that a tiff or an attitude with a family member, friend, co-worker, or EVEN someone in our church family could be our last conversation or interaction with them. Wouldn't you hate to know that your last conversation with someone that was not your kindness interaction was the last one you had with them?

Due to the many illnesses that has hit my family throughout the years it has taught me to NEVER live with the possibility of regrets. If I'm having a bad day and I'm snippy with a family member, I call and apologize. If my family member is in the hospital and I am out of town, I come home to see them. Never do I want to live with a personal regret in my heart that I wasn't there, I didn't love them, or I had a petty fight with someone and chose to ignore the situation rather than straighten it up. My favorite motto in life is "In the realm of eternity does this really matter." I know it might sound weird to you, but to a black and white personality it helps to distinguish the important from the petty. If the answer is "no"...then I need to get over it. If the answer is "yes" then I need to deal with it and bring a resolution to it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is life is too short to not treat everyone how God has asked us to treat them. Life is too short not to cherish the special moments and those around us. Don't take people for granted...don't leave things unsaid...don't walk with anger or bitterness in your heart or your relationships. Enjoy life, cherish your family, treasure your friends, be caring toward your co-workers and neighbors and stand with your church family in unity. When you do this...you've done all you can do...and you are living a life that will leave no regrets!