My times are in Your hands

I was sadden today by a news report of a 21 year old, Olympic athlete who was killed while training for his Luger event in Canada. 21. I wonder how many of those years were in training for the moment he would find himself going to the ultimate of events to prove his metal. Today, a father and mother grieve. The son they have loved and raised, whom I am sure were proud of, will no longer have the opportunity to hold their son. I cannot even begin to know that kind of loss, to lose a child. It must be unbearable.

God's word makes it clear that He has ordained only so many days for each of us. No eating the best of diets, the most faithful of work out routines will prolong or change what God has written in the book of our lives. Today, we are reminded of that by the death of this young, healthy, strong young man.

Dale ran at least 3 times a week and walked just about every afternoon. When he was training for the Half-Iron man and an Olympic Triathlon, he ran, swam and rode his bike. The cancer didn't care. The Lord knew Dale would live only a month and a half after his 51st birthday. How old will I be?



I don't write this to inflict sadness, but to encourage living. As we don't know what may happen before this day is over, I believe the Lord would have us live each day we do have to the fullest. We should love well and hard those dearest to us. We should stand outside, even in the rain and look around us, then heavenward at the beauty of God's creation. We should each day use the gifts and talents He has given us for the blessing of others, to strengthen our own hearts, and to give glory to the Lord.


How often I allow myself to get wrapped up in the mundane of life, to allow stupid people to get my nanny goat. A chaplain, Dale had in the army would tell him when he would get frustrated with a certain co-worker, who tried every ones patience, 'don't give him that much power'. How much power do I give to others, allowing their words or behavior to rule my emotions and day?


I watched a favorite movie last night, Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium. It is a must see! My sister recently showed it her Jr highers at school. At the end of the movie she asked them what the movie was about, their response was, 'it's about dying.' Her response was, 'no, it is about living. And it is.


I want so much to make the Lord proud of me here on earth, so that when I someday see Him face to face, I will know by His face alone, I have done well. But to achieve that, I must do the dishes, prepare a meal, clean house, help a neighbor, make a phone call to a loved one, go to work, whatever the task before me is with joy and humility. I want to be a good steward of my day, because, my days are numbered. Granted, I want to see many more grand babies born and to see them grow up, don't we all. But since I don't know if I will, I must love at every opportunity when it is given.





To end, I quote Mr. Magorium who says what I want to only in a far better way.


"We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. 37 seconds well used, is a lifetime."


Live well.