On Monday, I blogged about my nephew Joey who was given five years to live. (To catch up on this story, click HERE.)
What would you do differently if you had only 30 days to live? This is the premise behind the New York Times bestseller One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook. I haven't read the book, but it looks intriguing, and is the subject of a meme hosted by Gerry, that I read about at Mommy Accountability.
When my sister was told her son only had five years to live (when he was 5 yrs old), she originally planned to not send him to school. She didn't see the point, she wanted to spend every second with him. Her husband intervened and insisted that she allow Joey to have as normal a life as possible. Imagine if she hadn't sent him to school? He now goes to a special school for the gifted and is in honors classes at the gifted school! He plans to go to MIT. Luckily, she made a wise decision, with the help of her husband.
A couple of weeks ago my favorite show (House) had its season premier. I'd had it on my calendar for weeks - Tuesday night at 9 on Fox. On that Tuesday night, I turned on the TV five minutes early so I wouldn't miss one second...except the network had moved the show to 8, so I only saw the last five minutes. I was so upset. Somehow I think if I had only 30 days to live, I wouldn't have cared. I wouldn't even be watching TV!
How would your life and mine be different if we only had one month to live? What would you do? Who would you reconcile with? How would you act differently?
I know that I'd hug my husband goodbye each morning as he left for work, holding him just a bit longer, rather than calling out "have a nice day!" over my shoulder as he walks out the door. It I'd spend more time with my kids, less time on the computer.
The bible tells us we don't know what hour the end times will arrive. We could all be called home tomorrow. We could have a tragic accident two weeks from now. We could live to be an elderly person.
It's something to think about, isn't it? What would you do in your life differently if you only had one month to live? And why don't you start doing it today?
James 4:14 -- Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Matthew 24:42-44 -- Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 -- Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
15 comments:
This is a thought provoking post today! It would be wise to leave each day as if it were our last. Thanks for the thoughts.
I agree that I'd hug more and not allow myself to be irritated with my family when they do things that drive me crazy, I'd just let it go. So why not now? I'll give it a try. :)
Our friend, Nichole, at On Purpose, is so consistently good at reminding us about purposeful living and all that entails.
I think if we are DAILY living the way that God wants us to walk that we shouldn't have to change things, should we be given a "last" day.
What we might see happen more is that the folks around us are changed in light of what we're facing. The quandary, then, is does that change come about without that circumstance?
It all comes back to seeing God, praying for hearts to be open, praying for hearts to follow. Let us know if you read the book.
I'm going to address the non-thought provoking part of your post.
You MISSED House! I bet you were SO annoyed. You told me about it a few years ago and have mentioned that I should watch it several times since then. I told you that I didn't want to get "in-to" any new shows. Well, about 2 weeks ago, ONLY because I couldn't find anything else on, I watched an episode. It Was CLASSIC! I've been watching the re-runs at night while I fold laundry!
Mark your calendar. CSI season premier October 9th~
Oh yeah, regarding your post yesterday...."They Like You!! They Really Like You!!!"
It is common in business, marketing and sales motivational training, where certain goals and objectives are to be met, etc., that TODAY is the FIRST day of the rest of your life.
As Rick Warren says, and I paraphrase, you must live TODAY as if it was the LAST day of your life.
In other words, one must be prepared everyday, because we don't know the time.
Casey
This is the 2nd post this morning that is speaking this to me. I hear you, Lord!
Well I came back and I'm glad I did. This is such a great post. I guess if I were living the life I wish I was,(and know I should be) then the answer would be nothing. I would change nothing But the truth is I have lots of improving to do and I guess I would hurry those improvements up and try to get everything in order. I need to hurry up my reading and get to John. I really like that book.
Kelly, your video was adorable.
As for House, you can watch it online!! So don't feel too bad. It's my favorite show too and I would feel horrible if I missed an episode because of the wrong time.
Sorry about that.
Interesting post. We don't even know what tomorrow brings. What if we lived as though we only had one minute left?
30 days? Well, I might go a little crazy, throw out the job and chores and go on a cruise. LOL
There is a country song out there I think it's called Live Like You Were Dying. I don't think I'd want to do all of the things the song person says but I do think I'd worry less about the small stuff and focus more on relationships especially with God, family and close friends.
Thanks for the mention!!
I was just thinking last night if I only had a month to live would I take my child to school... good answer!!
Each experience in life is a blessing and we have to learn how to change our reaction. I am learning to stop and really enjoy what time I have.. for instance when I am at work I blog and email now... when I get home I put my stuff down and spend time with my family.
I am hoping what I learn is how to balance and not forget it can all be gone in a second.
Thanks again, I just love reading your blog!!
You're the second person to bring this up in less than 24 hours...what's up? Anyway I had to laugh because I'm in the midst of some painting and repairs that are long overdue on my house. Would I finish or throw my hands up in the air? No, I would do everything possible to have this house and my financial affaire in great order to help out my heirs.
Going through so many things with my husband's death and he filled me in on much in the last days, but I have had to chase down many things.
I'd live normally practicing the presence of God and moving as quickly as possible to leave all in good order for my children. I'd have those conversations of confirming all I see of God in each of them and giving them my love and blessing individually. I would write a letter for each them to keep on who I see that they are in Him.
I can't beleive you missed House! Do you want me to tell you what happened?
On a more serious note, if I had one month to live I'd have to seriously think about paying my credit card...and that's a bit scary so I'm thinking I'll just live forever.
This post was such a blessing to me! Thank you!
Heather
Thanks so much for joining me in this! I loved reading your post and the things you'd do differently. I clicked over and read the powerful story of your nephew too. Thank you so, so much for sharing!
I love the texts you've chosen here. We stress out over way too much instead of focusing on the important things.
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