Brevity

I don't mean to be morbid, but if you ever forget how fragile and short life really is, read the obituaries in your local online news. Most likely, 85% of the people will have been in their 80's or 90's, dying simply from old age. But every now and then, you run across that 60 year old, that 50 year old, that 40 year old -- getting too close for comfort?

I read a few of those obituaries tonight. I read about a man who had served in WWII even though, as a man of Japanese heritage though fully American, he'd been persecuted in Japanese internment camps. He went on to win a purple heart and a bronze star, volunteered throughout his life, and gave of his own food and work to less fortunate people.

I also read about a woman who was only 60. After getting pregnant in high school but keeping the baby, she went on to become an attorney to help abused women and children.

I stumbled upon these obituaries because I had been reading about the death of a three year old who had been playing at preschool one morning when he happened to swallow a push pin.

All these things sobered me. Life is so short. At any moment, my heart could give out, I could be diagnosed with cancer, I could get into a car accident. I'm not saying I should live my life in fear, but these things are a reality. What am I doing with my time now? As I think back on this summer, I can only remember a few of the stupid tv episodes I watched, scrapbooking, and the handful of times I went to the gym. Not enough of it was spent laughing over a game with Paul, or at my sister's house making lunch with her and playing with her kids. Not enough of it was spent enjoying the day at the beach, or volunteering at the hospital like I've been planning to do. Not enough of it was spent praying or even thinking about Christ and what He's done for me.

What about you? If you were to die tomorrow, what would your obituary say? Would it say that you were a wonderful friend, someone who'd given your all for everyone, who'd worked hard to overcome your past and be all that you could be? Or would it be a short paragraph about how no one really knew you, and no one really knew what you were doing?

Brevity.

Carpe Diem.