Do It Today

Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. (Psalm 39:4 TLB)

I was downstairs on our elliptical, trying to get in a quick workout before I had to run my girls to their afternoon dance class. I was pounding away and scrolling through Facebook simultaneously when I saw a post about someone watching the funeral services for President George H. W. Bush.

I jumped off the elliptical and ran up the stairs as fast as I could. I couldn’t believe the funeral had slipped my mind. As I fumbled with the television remotes, I sat on the floor right in front of the TV. What I was about to witness was one of the most moving services I have ever seen.

My kids, baffled by the TV being on in the middle of the day, asked what I was doing. I shushed them immediately, but my oldest explained what I was watching to the others. They all gathered on the couch behind me and watched too.

Within minutes, I was sobbing. Not just shedding a few tears, but buckets of tears, and I was gasping for breath. One of my children got a tissue box and set it next to me on the floor.

President George H. W. Bush was president during my four years of high school, and he’s the president I remember the most. I recall discussions about political issues during classes. I remember watching him on the TV in our living room when I was growing up.

The whole service was a beautiful tribute to the late president. When President George W. Bush began his eulogy of his father, I was a mess. At one point I left the room to try to compose myself because I had to leave in a few minutes, and when I returned, Michael W. Smith was singing “Friends.”  I lost it again. I don’t know how he was able to stay composed.

My sadness wasn’t just for myself, though. I thought of President Bush’s family and friends. His children. His grandchildren. Those who’d lost someone with whom they were close.

Whenever I see a funeral procession, my heart goes out to the people in those cars with their headlights on. They’re grieving the loss of a loved one or a friend, someone I expect they feel they lost too early.

Living across the street from a hospital, with sirens so often going by, I’m reminded daily that we don’t know what next year, next month, or even next week holds for us. The sirens make me pause and bring perspective back to my day.

Today Is a Gift

While it’s always sad when someone is called home, we all know death is a fact of life. Death is a guarantee for all of us, the one thing in everybody’s future. None of us know how many days we have left on this earth. We’re not promised tomorrow.

Just yesterday, my husband shared at the dinner table that he was lucky to be alive. As he was crossing the street at lunchtime, returning to his office during a storm, a large piece of metal flew off the roof of a building and landed on the ground, hitting his foot. That event could have had a different ending.

We need to remember that today is a gift and we need to live it to the fullest. All those things we said we were going to do?

• Invite our widowed neighbor over for dinner
• Send a card to a friend
• Volunteer at church

We need to do them. Today.

Say “I love you,” “I forgive you,” and “I’m sorry.” Stop waiting.

Dear heavenly Father, we ask you to fill us with the Holy Spirit and help us be attentive to your leading. May we live each day to glorify you. Help us to not put off until tomorrow what you would have for us today. Help us to share our love and faith in you boldly to those who need to hear. May we live every day thankful for the gift of that day. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13–14 NIV)

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV)

Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31–34 NIV)

Reach for More

Has God put something on your heart to do but you’ve been dragging your feet? Have you felt his leading or calling but you haven’t acted? Do you need to speak words of life to someone but have put them off? Today is the day. Spend time with the maker of all things and the giver of all time, asking him what he wants from you. Listen. Then do it.

Heather Gerwing is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Elsa Tornabene, used with permission