There is an older song by Tim McGraw that hit very hard a few years ago. It was popular right after losing my step dad to cancer. I never could listen to it all the way through without getting emotional. So, I just kind of put it on the back burner and forgot about it. If you haven’t listened to it, I highly recommend you find “Live Like You Were Dying”. It really puts life into perspective.
Perspective, there is a great word for this blog post. Have you ever noticed how busy we can get during the Christmas season? Every year I tell myself I am going to finish shopping sooner, I am going to find time to spend with family, and I am going to find time for my hobbies. I said the same thing this year. Sadly, here I am in panic mode once again. I haven’t finished all of my shopping, I haven’t posted here in over a month, and I certainly have not spent any time with my hobbies or passions.
I have, however, been spending a lot of time in deep thought, reflection, and prayer this season. I keep hearing that inner voice telling me to “slow down”. If that isn’t bad enough, I keep running across the Bible Verse, Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God” Being still is so terribly hard for me to do. All my life, I have been a run run run guy. Tasks to complete, chores to finish. People to see, and places to go. A few years back I hit the brick wall everyone saw coming, except me. I received a health report from a very frustrated doctor. I remember him walking in and asking me if my will was complete. I was taken back, as most people would be, and instantly went to panic. “What’s wrong? How long do I have?” His reply pissed me off, but it got my attention. He simply told me since I wasn’t going to take his advice I might as well make that will as my health was going backwards, and it wasn’t good. I am happy to say that I finally slowed down. I learned to appreciate life, well to some extent anyway. I remember my friend, Frank, tell me that superman finally found his Kryptonite. He was so spot on.
It is many years later and I find myself in that same season of life. I have been hearing that inner voice telling me it is time to slow down, but I haven’t listened once again. I have been feeling my spirit tell me the same thing. More importantly, I have been hearing God whisper, “Be Still” I don’t know how to be still. There I said it. I have spent most of my life chasing goals or career paths that help me matter to others. I have this internal struggle that I ‘need’ to have someone say “you matter, great job, amazing work” I think that need comes from my childhood and always feeling I needed to measure up to my parents expectations.
So here I am, 54, and in that season…again. This time, I am asking God for a lot of answers that just aren’t coming. A recent, and very negative, health report has me remembering that stupid song from way back when. Now before I go too far, let me say this, the results aren’t good, but they aren’t final yet either, and I am sharing this for the first time with the general public. Please, no sympathy is needed, just send your thoughts and prayers my way.
I am finding It is well past time to be intentional with my time. Nothing anyone really wants to do, especially this time of year. But there is something deeper this year. The old negative me from years back is now hoping for that Christmas Miracle. I am not waving the white flag. I am, however, being realistic. I know God is in control, and I know he still heals. So I am following His words and slowing down. I am living life intentionally right now, and going forward. I am choosing faith over fear and living optimistically. For those of you reading this, thank you for being here. Thank you for your support, and your friendship.
Now, with the aforementioned being shared, please do not spend any time worrying about me. That isn’t the point of this post. The point of this post is very simple. It is in the form of a question for you out there in my audience. Where is your TRUE focus during this season? What if you got a call letting you know your time may be limited? Are you spending your time the way that matters most? Are you slowing down? Why should any of us need a health report to make us focus on what matters most? I keep hearing over and over in every area of my life that I need to tell others to slow down. Be intentional with your time. Put that damn cell phone down and have conversations with friends or family. Most of all, take the time to understand the reason for the season. Yes the Christmas lights are great, gifts are wonderful, and time with family is certainly precious. But are you missing the bigger gift of the season?
I found a gift that someone gave me ten years ago, almost to the date, when we parted ways. It was an old Kodak tin with a written note in it. She was telling my my photography could be used to spread God’s messages. It was a gift I never let go of. However, this year, it has an entirely new meaning. She was right, WE all have a unique purpose and it is up to us to share that gift with others. I’ll be getting out soon to gather some more pictures with my new camera. I can’t wait to share those with you in the days ahead.
Every day is a new day, a new opportunity, and a new calling. Embrace it. This Christmas season please take the time to have an extra cup of coffee with a friend, tell a loved one how much they mean to you, and to find a quite corner to spend some time talking with God. If you don’t believe in that, I invite you to reach out to me. I have so many stories I could share to tell you why I do. I firmly believe there is another story coming, and I can’t wait to share that with all of you as well…….(to be continued)
Live Like You Were Dying
There is an older song by Tim McGraw that hit very hard a few years ago. It was popular right after losing my step dad to cancer. I never could…
