Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Right now...

Monday's weather was in the eighties, more summer-like than spring.
It was a beautiful day for a baseball game...

...for a ride on the swings...

... for drippy, sticky popsicle stained faces.

Like an unforeseen mood swing,  Tuesday was cold and wet.
The phone rang with news to match the weather.
A young mama in our church was told by doctors that there is nothing more they can do.
My husband and I drove up the hill to the hospital that overlooks our city.
I sat in the room when two little girls were told by their mama that the doctors say she is dying.
She talked about the only options remaining, that Jesus miraculously heals her here,
or that she goes to be with Him.
We prayed, we cried, and we told her to keep fighting to live, 
until she hears the voice of Jesus telling her it's time for her to come home.

Life has no guarantees of always being a sunny Monday.
Rainy Tuesdays will come to us all.
God forbid that we should waste either one,
the sunny days or the cloudy ones.
Fear, worry, anxiety and stress are time thieves of the present moment.
They focus us on the what ifs instead of on the right now.
In a hospital room, when the doctors can do no more,  life narrows to the right now.
We realize, literally, that we are fully dependent on God for our next breath.
We savor this moment.
We memorize our loved one's face.
 We tell them every important thing we want them to hear, to know.
We forgive any offenses and ask to be forgiven.
We smother them with kisses.
We hold their hand.

God forbid that we should wait for a hospital room to live like this.
There's a reason God repeatedly told us not to worry, not to fret.
It blinds us to the blessings and the beauty right in front of our eyes.
It keeps us from embracing life and living it fully.
You and I are no different from that young mama in ICU,
we are all, literally, fully dependent on God for our next breath.
The question is, how will we live our right now?

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29 comments:

  1. Oh Elizabeth, I have no words except to tell you my heart mourns with yours and this sweet mama's as tears trickle down my cheeks. One of your most beautiful, poignant posts ever--even though filled with pain.

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  2. I'm praying for her and her family - and for you, too. Times like this always bring me back to what's the most important thing. After a sudden loss of two dear family friends - a husband and wife - when my children were young, I realized how important it is to tell those we love what they mean to us. Now. Not to everyone else after they are gone! Believing for a miracle of healing for your sweet friend.
    ~Adrienne~

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  3. There is a theme of what I'm reading today about beauty! It is ALL a part of His beautifully woven story, the good with the bad. I'm sorry for your friend. But yes, it is wisdom to gain perspective and celebrate today. The present is just that: a gift. Thank you for sharing. I'll lift prayers for your friend.

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    1. I love that, the present is a gift! Oh, how sad if we don't open and enjoy it! Your prayers are so appreciated!

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  4. so very heart breaking...
    praying for the loved ones.
    it's an honor to pray.

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, friend. She seemed better today!

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  5. as always, beautiful, challenging, encouraging and touching! Wiping tears. Tomorrow I am the scheduled driver for a neighbor/friend. she is recovering from another surgery regarding something that is ongoing after Dr.s made a drastic error in a hip-surgery, but she is at the hospital every day with her husband who has suffered deeply for 5+ years from cancer and is in what the Dr.s call his last days. He is SO ready to meet Jesus and get a new healed body but it is still so hard.

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    1. Janet, praying for you as you minister to these dear ones. May you sense God's strength and nearness and may His love flow through you to them.

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  6. Oh, Elizabeth...this hurts my heart and compels me to pray for this sweet family. Such an important reminder to live intentionally and not miss those opportunities to love. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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    1. Your prayers are so appreciated. She seemed better today!

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  7. Praying for this beautiful young momma & her loved ones (including you). As you have shared, we need to embrace each moment God gives us on this earth. Like always, your words have spoken to my heart & reminded me of what really is important in life.

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    1. Krista, love you much, friend. Isn't the body of Christ amazing!

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  8. I can't imagine. So thankful for Jesus. Your words are lovely, though.

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    1. Thank you, Kristin! She is doing better today. Prayers for this young mama would be appreciated.

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  9. Thank you, Elisabeth, for your comment :-)
    I love your photos!
    Have a nice week!
    Britta Elisabeth ;-P

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    1. Thank you for coming by! I love that we share a name!

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  10. Wow, such powerful words. Prayers sent!

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  11. My heart us aching for this young mama and her little girls. Thanks for the reminder to embrace life everyday and live it to the fullest.

    One of my favorite Poems is called "How Do You Live Your Dash"....author unknown.

    Thanks for such a beautiful essay.
    Debbi

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  12. The Dash
    by Linda Ellis

    I read of a man who stood to speak
    At the funeral of a friend
    He referred to the dates on her tombstone
    From the beginning to the end
    He noted that first came her date of her birth
    And spoke the following date with tears,
    But he said what mattered most of all
    Was the dash between those years.
    For that dash represents all the time
    That she spent alive on earth.
    And now only those who loved her
    Know what that little line is worth.
    For it matters not how much we own;
    The cars, the house, the cash,
    What matters is how we live and love
    And how we spend our dash.
    So think about this long and hard.
    Are there things you’d like to change?
    For you never know how much time is left,
    That can still be rearranged.
    If we could just slow down enough
    To consider what’s true and real
    And always try to understand
    The way other people feel.
    And be less quick to anger,
    And show appreciation more
    And love the people in our lives
    Like we’ve never loved before.
    If we treat each other with respect,
    And more often wear a smile...
    Remembering that this special dash
    Might only last a little while.

    So, when your eulogy is being read
    With your life’s actions to rehash
    Would you be proud of the things they say
    About how you spent your dash?

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  13. Psalm 46:10......"Be Still and Know I am God". My thoughts and prayers are for this family....God has his timing and I am hoping He will give mama more time with her family. I am happy to know it will be a win-win for the mama. Each day is truly a gift may she have more time.
    Addie

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    1. She is amazing and fighting bravely to live. Your continued prayers for her are so appreciated.

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  14. Praying...God has been teaching me lately that every day is a gift -- may we use each one to glorify Him. Linked up with you at Rich Faith Rising -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
    God bless,
    Laurie
    http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us at Good Morning Mondays. Thank you for the encouragement to live each day as though it was our last and to hold onto our loved ones and treasure every moment. Thank you also for the encouragement to not fear our future but to put it in God's hands. I am praying for the young mum and her family and for you and your family as you support them and help them. Blessings

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