Death Is Never Easy

Yesterday a colleague of mine passed away while at work. He was a father and a husband and an all around nice guy. He just turned 41. I am reminded of how short life really is and how at any moment the Lord could take us home. I think we do so many stupid things in life because we fear death and yet you could be reading these words and taking your last breath at the same time.

I think that we forget to live because we are terrified of dying. I think that we work so hard to do what society tells us, but for what? I think of my dad who worked his entire life for his family. He was not the sort of man who had to have cars or boats or "things". As long as we were all happy, he was happy. And then 5 short years after he retired he was gone. I wonder if he ever regretted not being more selfish. I wonder if he ever wished he had lived more. These are questions that haunt me to this day.

I think there are worse things in life than dying. I say this because I know when I die I get to be with my dad and Jesus and knowing this brings me comfort. I think if you are a faithful person, then death is less daunting. I still fear death because I don't want it to hurt, but I know that when I'm gone I will have left my girls with a good role model in life. One who worked hard and sacrificed a lot for them and taught them how to be independent, successful women. I will know that I lived my life without regret.

Losing my friend from work has taught me that even though I have been moderately successful in this life, I really need to live more. I don't want to waste my hours on Facebook or other social media sites. I want to make a difference in this world. I want my existence to be purposeful. I have not been giving like I used to give. I have been so self-absorbed because I felt like it was finally my turn to do something for myself, but I have a tendency to go 100 miles per hour in one direction and I really need to learn how to go 55 and enjoy the scenery. I need balance. I need to give and receive at the same time. It's funny how God opens your eyes using situations around you.

Today my message is to live life like there is no tomorrow, because that could literally be the case for you. Do something different today. Connect with God. Be a good person. Love on your family. Don't leave this life without telling the people you love how much they mean to you. Leave no questions unanswered, so when the Lord comes to take you home your family can say that "my mom sure knew how to live" or "my dad loved his family but he regretted not doing more for himself". We are only here for a blip in time. Make that blip amazing!