I have so many thoughts...contemplations meandering through my mind. Some of them full of hope and promise--running wild with happiness and then some that drift sadly to rest at the bottom of my heart...sediment I need to shake up and get rid of. The past few days have been an emotional wake. While I tend to do well during stressful times and keep a positive and encouraging frame of mind, that doesn't mean at some point I don't need to deal with the weight that fills me up. Last Friday my mother-in-law was diagnosed with a rare disease--hardening of the lungs. Have you ever heard of this? The doctors have given her only two years at the most to live. This comes as quite a shock to us as she seems fairly healthy now, with only the average aging ailments to burden her. She's made a "bucket list," so my husband is going to take time off from work to travel with her a few places to accomplish those things she wants to do. I think we all have a bucket list, but what we don't have is a pre-determined time frame in which we need to get everything finished...well, maybe we DO have the time frame, we just don't have knowledge about it. I don't think I would want to know, would you?
There is so much to be thankful for in the every day and no matter what kind of "bucket list" we have it seems to me that our efforts should be grounded in our spiritual attempt to bring the very best of ourselves to God. If we were to lay a gift at His feet we would make certain it was the best of what we had...maybe not the best available, but the very best WE could offer. Shouldn't this be how our lives are lived? Instead of chasing quantity and training our minds to praise God for our tangible blessings, shouldn't we praise Him by the quality of time we fill each moment up with? Imagine offering Him a moment of silence filled with your own deep appreciation of all the unique observations you've been able to experience. I think He'd rather like that - knowing our capacity for love included the very experiences He gifts us with daily. It's strange for me to think about my own mortality. I naturally feel the urge to want to accomplish whatever I have let slip by the wayside or have been unable to do, but part of me also feels an acute need to just be silent and enjoy the every day just as it has been given to me. I do have a "bucket list" but I think I'd rather it be termed something more innovative and renewable to reflect the living aspect...to do for the sake of joy instead of because time is running out. The latter is a given.
Life is short. Be happy.
11 comments:
Joni, I'm so sorry about your mother in law's health. Your words were a blessing to me today. I've been focusing on my lack of what I think I need, not my blessings. You've reminded me of what is really important.
I'm so sorry sweetie! Lots of things can happen in the next two yrs in the was of research so stay hopeful!
I try to live my "bucket list" on a daily basis...and live in "the moment"...HUGS to you!!!!hughugs
It is so difficult to hear news like this of a loved one. I wish we all lived our lives on a daily basis like the "bucket list." My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We have had a number of very serious illnesses and deaths in my family and I have found that writing my blog is healing not only for me, but for others as the time progressed.
I am so sorry that your MIL has this terrible disease. I will be praying for her.
We never know how much time we really have left. While I was in the hospital, a former co-worker's husband was rushed to the same hospital for my knee surgery, about 100 yards down the hall from my room. He had a sudden stroke and died. He was only 57 and the picture of health.
Yes indeed, I have my bucket list and have been working on it for years. DH was diagnosed with cancer 14 years ago and beat it. We've been living each day with gratitude ever since.
Thank you Joni~
Thank you for loving all of life's treasures and for reminding us to do the same, every word written is so true. You have me tearing up over here, but its only because I needed to be reminded! I'm so truly sorry about your mother in laws illness, but God can heal her. I will keep you, and your husband and your family in my prayers and thoughts, I'm always here, just right down the road and around a few corners.
I LOVE YOU!
Nettie
I'm sorry to hear of your MIL's illness, be grateful that she can do the bucket list, and with her son, how wonderful. And you never know things can change. thank you for your inspiring blog always.
this reflects so much of my life and thoughts lately.....so much upheaval to contend with lately on a daily basis, and some moments where "dealing with the weight" becomes a little suffocating.
but every day.....i thank God for life and the day and pray that i will joy in the time He has given me....to praise Him with a thankful heart.....this lesson is something i try and remember every new day....but sometimes life happens and weighs us down....but as long as we can get back on track and ask His help with our burdens and cares, then we can remember the joy part.....
so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. i have never heard of such a diagnosis.
take care and good luck on shaking up that sediment and letting go....i try and remember that too!
hugs and love,
kimberly
thank you my dear sweet friend!!!!!
you are indeed a blessing!!!!
love,
kimberly
I have not heard of that diagnosis before. I'm so sorry your mother-in-law has been given such news.
No, I would not want to know the date of my death. My ideal, of course, is to go to sleep at night and just wake up in heaven!
I'm trusting your MIL knows her Savior. Then she can live these days with this motto: If I live, I know Jesus will be with me. If I die, I know I will be with Jesus.
What a better life could anyone want? You get Jesus either way!
Blessings to you my dear friend, and prayers for your MIL.
I have not heard of that diagnosis before. I'm so sorry your MIL has been given this news. But I know there is A God and he holds the key to it all, and we are not going no place until he is ready. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless.
You know, I have been a little upset with my mother lately, she has all the time in the world for my sil, but has none for me. It has really hurt my feelings. But I got to thinking...life is way too short for me to stay mad about it. I know she loves me, and she does do some things with me, but right now is not that time. So I think about how my life would be without her and it is a terrible feeling. So I will take her however and whenever I can. We have our days numbered....I hate thinking mine are running out but of course they are. Life is precious, I hope that I have honored it the way I should. Take care friend.
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