I typically only write a couple of messages a year on certain holidays or on Em's Homecoming to Heaven anniversary, but lately even with the good things that have unfolded in our life, we still feel such an urgency at times.   This is probably due to the fact that we know how life can change in a moments notice.  We continue to see people that we know and love face their own tragedies and unknowns.  I once read that each person is probably going through something, on the other side of it or are about to face the storms of life soon.  It is inevitable and so unfortunate that this is a part of our existence.  All the more reason to hunker down and have your faith cemented in Christ.  All the more reason to love deeply, behave responsibly and not forsake the good things that the Lord has brought into your life.

In the past few months, I've been face to face with life and death situations, sickness and people who are literally fighting for their lives to be free of disease, depression and the full blown battle of trying to walk through the disappointments of life.  We've seen the best of times followed by the worst of times.  I guess that is where the "urgency" comes from in this message.  I pray for us to be diligent keepers of our time and to embrace and be ever so grateful for the goodness He gives and the strength to endure.

This particular message comes from a heaviness I feel for the news of unknowns and struggles for survival in many people near and dear to us that are fighting their own battles.  Our friends Linda and Keith MacDonald are going through another anniversary of having to say goodbye to their precious Keisha 3 years ago and the wounds are still wide open and oozing.  Our cousin in Denver, who married his college sweetheart in September, is viewing their wedding pictures that his precious bride won't be able to see.  Just 1 month after their wedding, she was killed as her car went over the side of the mountain on her way home after spending time with her college friends.  I am reminded of the lady I need to contact who is wanting to set up a scholarship fund like we have done for Em for Potterville's Tabitha Stanton who was killed after attending a volleyball tournament in a car accident.  I am also conscious of the King family's struggle as Colleen continues her treatments. There is also the Hilley family and all they are facing with the loss of Dave, as is true with the Tingley's/Klein family and Farrell and Blackmer families and their struggle without their loved ones.  And even as I write this (and probably my motivation to write this), I am prayerful of another family who has experienced the best of times recently and is now facing possible illness and the scary unknowns.  Again, how incredibly quick our lives can change.....and so my plea......to be grateful of what has been given and mindful of the blessing received.  We ourselves went from prom planning, volleyball tournaments, and vacations to the absolute struggle to survive the crippling pain.

Most who read this with probably think......"yeah, yeah, I feel really bad for them.  It's gotta suck and I'm so glad that I haven't had to endure lifes challenges.  I've got a house to clean, a wedding to plan, uniforms to wash,& dinner to make".  I get that!  I was there once.  But again, my plea to stop.....even for a minute.  I would ask you to rather remember that the reason your house is out of order and the endless mounds of laundry is because you still have a precious family in it, and to enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of the wedding details and stress less on the logistics. And maybe even consider having cereal and toast for supper and call it good and watch a movie together instead. Take into account the blessings and enjoy the day to day things. Like the feel of a baby, the sunshine, the playdough on the floor or the nasty hair of your child stuck in the drain and that you "get" to clean it. Forget about the work or the many, many things that really don't matter in the big scheme of life.  Take a moment at the feet of Christ and thank Him for life, the ability to love and for the promise that whatever life may bring that you will never walk alone.