Bam! It was exactly what I had been needing to hear. It's funny how things happen like that sometimes. Something said in passing can speak volumes and the speaker doesn't even know the impact they had. I'm fairly certain it is God speaking.
You see, I've been worried more than I should be lately. Our hometown has had several young lives lost this year that has really shaken my sense of mortality. Young people with bright futures, wives, children and lots of life ahead of them had their life suddenly cut short. Young death is so very hard for me to understand. I can't say I know how those left behind feel, but I can imagine and it brings tears to my eyes. Unfortunate events like these always make me think about what things would look like for our family if x,y,z tragedy happened to us as if, in some odd way, I could prepare for them. The past few months I have spent too much time worrying about the what if's and the uncertainty of life and I've realized that it is silly to do so. I'm wasting precious days spending time thinking about things that will probably (and hopefully) never happen.
That one sentence changed my view on life. Instead of cautiously going about life, I'd rather live it. I want to remember that each day is a gift and I shouldn't squander it. The world is not going to stop if I leave the laundry unfolded on the floor one more day so I can play with my children. My children aren't going to be scarred for life if I take some time to myself to do the things I want to do. My life is beautiful and wonderful and so very blessed. I should be ashamed for ever thinking otherwise. There are so many out there suffering that it makes my little problems seem so insignificant.
Sometimes unexpected death is a time for us to check ourselves. Are we worrying about things we shouldn't? Are we using our days as we should? Have we taken the necessary measures to take care of our loved ones should the worst happen? Are we being smart and safe about the things we choose to do? Are we taking the life God has blessed us with for granted?
Philippians 4:6-9 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the peace of God will be with you."
I was just thinking about this last night. We're having lots of tornado warnings and floodings in our area of Southern Alberta and the wind last night was horrendous and I was worrying about our crops and our poor trees we just planted...and then I though - why am I worrying? It's not in my hands, it's in His. One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 5:7. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but God speaking to us through little old ladies is sometimes all we need. I love how He sends us messages when we need them the most.
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