Getting Our House in Order!

When my father-in-law was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, the doctors stated, at the most, he’d have only a few months to live. Dad was a strong man of faith (besides an evangelical pastor for over 50 years) and just wouldn’t accept that “death” threat. He remembered Isaiah 38:1-7 where Hezekiah, too, was giving a death threat. Isaiah told him that he needed to get “his house in order” because he was going to die. But, Hezekiah prayed: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” God relented and told Isaiah to tell him He had heard his prayers and will add on 15 years to his life. God did give Hezekiah 15 more years and when Dad prayed for an added 15 more years, God granted him 15 more years – almost to the day.

Dad had plenty of time to get “his house in order”. And, I took those words seriously since being on this shelter-in-place hiatus. I know there are those of you who were far more impacted than my little world with 24/7 children at home, businesses at home and others who lost their job altogether. So, please know my heart and prayers go out to those of you who are faced with far more challenges than me. My “little” rant is little, compared to others. But, please -- hear me out!

Many of my responsibilities came to a screeching halt. Most went online or not at all. That meant I had time – a commodity that I had hoped for in getting some “to-do’s” off my list. I woke up one morning with a fervor to “get my house in order”. I admit, I’m a full-on “Martha”. I calculated “I can get a lot done during this confinement AND I can also find time to be a “Mary” who sits at Jesus feet – plenty of extra time to do that too. So, I’ve been a part of Zoom meetings where we do just that – encourage, pray, and support each other. I’ve been able to attend on-line church and other on-line teachings and inspiration, besides finding more time for personal prayer.

But, that new fervor to “get my house in order” was like a neon sign in my head. “Make this time count!” It started with cleaning out closets and cabinets. But, then thoughts started racing through my mind – “If something happens to me, my kids would have so much to deal with. I knew this was perfect timing to "get my house in order" like, how my kids can get into my computer, know my passcodes and find all my blog information, have in one place – all business and personal matters, records, bank accounts, insurance policies, utilities, home information, monthly bills, medical information – doctors, health care decisions, our living will, power of attorney, burial literally everything, in one neat and tidy place. I don’t want to leave anything helter-skelter in the event of an emergency.

I’ll admit it – the task seemed daunting at first. It meant looking up phone numbers, digging through files, websites, printing out paperwork and setting up a binder, separated with categories. It meant adding my children to my bank accounts as co-signers. That was a tricky one with getting us altogether, while apart, but thanks to my bank officer and being the only customers in the bank at the time, we were able to accomplish it.

One of the greatest things my husband did for us, long before he was sick, was to set up a Living Family Trust for us. Family trusts protect our assets and benefit our family members beyond our lifetime and a living trust helps in avoiding probate issues. Why am I telling you all this today? Maybe you’re a young person, a young couple, or a young family and you think time is on your side for “getting your house in order”. We all know that our time on this earth is only known to God and this day could be our last day – no matter what age we are. I urge you to consider “getting your house in order” for those you love, too.

But, most important – is going back to that first paragraph and the scripture found in Isaiah 38 where Hezekiah could confidently say these words: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” That, my friends, is what our “spiritual house in order” should look like. That kind of life is the best life we can live – not only in our relationship with God – but leaving that “Living Will” of faith, devotion and good to our families, too.

What If This Were Our Last Day or Year?

I have the fondest memories of the last Christmas we had with my husband. Our entire family was snowed in at our home in Tulsa and it made for some of the sweetest times – laughter, frolicking in the snow, and tender times of intimacy in sharing God’s love with each other. Little did we know it would be his last year to celebrate Christmas with us.

Now, I think a lot about “last time” possibilities. I want to be sure my “house” is in order. I’ll admit that I’ll often leave on a trip and I think “Oh, I need to clean those drawers and closets out! I don’t want my family to have to deal with them if I don’t make it back home!” I’ve already got on my “to do” list, sooner than later, to get my will, important documents, bank, investments and other info up-to-date because I want my children to find everything they’ll need if I should “go home” any time soon. On one hand, it sounds silly because I’ve still got a lot of “tread on these tires”, but on the other hand, today could be my last day on this earth. 💥Breaking News Flash💥 It could also be the same for you!

Whew! We've made it through another year. And, while I reminisce with gratitude about my accomplishments and successes, I wonder what could I have done better? What did I do that made a difference in this world this year? Who could I have influenced in a positive way? I’m already thinking with an eternal perspective in mind when it comes to 2019. I’m thinking about how I can influence others. I wonder if, when I see others in my life, it turned out to be the last encounter I might have with them. What is the lasting impression I would want to leave? How would I want him or her to remember me?

Several scenarios come to mind. If I walked out the door of my children's homes and didn't return, what would I want my family to remember as my last words and gestures? If I ran into someone at work or school or church and then never saw that person again, what kind of memory would I want them to retain? In each last encounter, what would I want to be sure to say to my family and friends or even someone I might meet on the street?

None of us knows how much time is allotted to us. These questions have continued to roll around in my spirit. They are a constant reminder that we have to make the most of each moment God gives us to fulfill the two commandments Jesus said were most important: "loving God and loving people". Nothing else matters. In fact, Paul says it makes no difference what we give; if we don't have love, "it profits us nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3).

If our motives aren’t loving, may we pray for a change of heart. If they are loving, may we take time to tell the person so. Being sure our “last words” with someone are words of healing and true love. That is bound to mean more to him or her than what's inside any gift we might give them. And it's the only thing either one of us can take with us into eternity.