This one word has been on my mind all week and I couldn’t get away from it. I thought of sharing something of the ‘thanksgiving’ sort but it just didn’t sit well with me and I just felt to share a bit of why for today’s motivation!
This past week I lost a friend suddenly in a tragic car accident. He was 24 – an aspiring photographer full of passion for life, infectious happiness, undeniably hilarious sarcasm, and a smile that could turn any frown upside down. He impacted people in the way he spent his time. Instead of just showing up to work every day, he was actually present and excited to be there. When I first met him, he was the first person to welcome and include me in a special group of friends I can now call family. These are just two of so many examples of how his presence, his time, mattered.
His sudden death is heart wrenching and has left me with a noticeable heavy feeling since the moment I received the news earlier this week. I’ve almost felt guilty carrying on in my everyday activities and devoting so much time to my work or being ‘so busy’. Isn’t it ironic that every single other thing and life immediately continues on when a life has been taken? We can’t pause our time – it keeps going, ticking, racing, and passing.. Am I so consumed with my busyness that I can’t take one second to change how my time is spent?
But, I am incredibly challenged by this life and the way it was lived. Truthfully, I always thought he was too so eager, in a way that I could never be or never keep up with per se – kind of like it just “wasn’t me”. But I realize now how foolish that was, that this ‘eagerness’ was just a desire to live a true, full life, and something that so many of us want but rarely ever actually do.
If something were to happen to you/me in the coming days, would you have a list of things you’ve been wanting to do/see/experience, people to spend time with, more time living and less time working…. fill in your blank.
I challenge/motivate you this week, through the testimony of my friend’s life – his time, to value your time more and spend it wisely. Choose the things you do with divine purpose. Choose a career you are passionate about, not just one that will pay your bills. Choose your friends/those you spend time with carefully. Spend more time simply being, and doing the things you don’t want to do today and keep putting off until tomorrow.
This post was more personal than many here on the blog, but one I just wanted to share. Please feel free to email/comment with any questions or comments – I am happy to share more details on this story if it has somehow impacted your life and encouraged you! My friend was a dear believer and follower of Christ and I am so overjoyed to say he is with his Lord and Savior today!
AMEN.
Life is just too darn short. We really need to count our blessings and make time for what is really important in our lives, the ones we love around us <3
I keep trying to comment, I hope this goes through…..
I’m so sorry for your loss, and yet, I am sooo thankful your friend knew, knows!! the Lord!!! Such a sweet comfort!!! Thank you for sharing this personal story and for the reminder!!!