Wednesday September 21 2016  THE LAST

The last day of summer has passed for yet another year; and autumn begins.  Dave made a comment at the breakfast table this morning that set my mind thinking about all the “lasts” that we go through in life.  Some are final, some are seasonal, and others are cyclical.  We know that some of our lasts are final lasts and that other lasts show up unexpectedly.

We know when the last day of school is, or when the last Sunday of September will be.  We know when the last day of a presidential term will end, and we know when we scoop out the last bit of peanut butter from the jar.  But some lasts we are unprepared for; others we do not expect to happen and we may be caught off guard.

When we say goodbye to a friend, a parent or a child, do we ever stop and think it could be our last goodbye?  On a day to day basis I doubt if we dwell on it.  However, as I have gained years and experience I find that I never take life for granted.  Dave and I always give each other a hello when coming home and a goodbye when we leave to go someplace separately.  I ALWAYS say to him, “I love you” because I realize that it could be our last goodbye someday.  And I cherish those words each and every time he says them to me as I close the door behind me.  I never take them for granted.  And likewise, we always tell our children and grandchildren the same.  I hope when my last day comes the words my loved ones hear echoing in our final departure will be, “Remember, I love you”

Pause for moment and think of all the different kinds of “lasts” you have experienced, more than likely some were bad, but I hope more were good.  Think of the lasts you have yet to look forward to.  The list could go on and on as long as we are living.  I remember when I turned 60 years old and my family doctor sat me down and informed me that I was entering a time when I would be facing losses as I moved forward in life.  A few I have encountered, more are yet to come.  Am I afraid?  No.  Am I ready?  Probably not, but as the losses (or “lasts” in this case) happen I will go forward expectantly because I know when I get to the end of my road, breathe my last breath, and I am no longer living on earth, there will be no more lasts.  It will be a new beginning as I see Jesus face to face.  There will be so many new firsts to look forward to.

Someday each of us will experience our last day on earth.  The question to ask is not when, but the question is: are you ready to meet the Lord when it does happen?  Don’t wait until it is too late and your LAST opportunity to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior is no more. 

 

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED

Kathleen Martens

September 21, 2016

 

Each day is an opportunity

To be loved while loving back.

To give encouragement to another

And show your kindness does not lack.

 

Today is an opportunity

To give to those in need,

Whether it be gentle words

Or a meal on which they feed.

 

When someone greets you with a smile

It is a gift from their heart.

Pass it forward to the next

For your smile will never part.

 

Every day is unknown

And what will happen not yet done,

Many awaken on this day

Unaware it’s their last one.

 

So live each day as if you have forever,

But also live it as if it’s your last.

Because every single one of us

Will someday be in the past.

 

So ask yourself the question,

Before you meet your maker above,

How do you want to be remembered?

As for me, I hope it’s for my love.

 

Thank You God for each day I have on earth to love those around me.

Thank You for the gift of your love.

THANK YOU THAT I HAVE THE ASSURANCE THROUGH YOUR WORD THAT MY LAST DAY ON EARTH WILL BE THE REASON I WAS GIVEN LIFE.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! 

MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY WITH HIS LOVE AND GRACE

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Author Unknown

Above quote sent to me by my friend Marilyn.