Living Like There’s No Tomorrow

I know that’s easy for me to say. I’ve long passed raising a family, working a full-time job and lots of other responsibilities. But having the grands with me has sure reminded me of what it takes to feed, nurture, wash their clothes, plan their days and activities, and keep them busy enough to not be glued to their phones social media and gaming. It’s a work-out and I feel you, moms and dads. I once was there right with you. Well, maybe not with the cell phone activities, but I did know it was a work out to keep them entertained. I don’t ever hear: “I’m so bored” these days, like I heard when raising my children. There are so many options when traveling or just waiting for us.

Still, as long as I have these grandchildren with me, I’m “living like there’s no tomorrow”! Making memories, being silly, playing games, eating at their favorite restaurants, cooking their favorite meals, etc. I’ll admit I’m running out of options so those phones come in handy when I’m writing my next day’s blog.

The boys wanted me to see the new Spiderman and so we went on Saturday. Confession: I’m a Spiderman fan. I like his youth and innocence, his courage and the fact that a youth is the superhero. Spoiler Alert – if you haven’t seen it yet (and, believe me, it’s worth seeing)! Spider Man and his high school buddies do some major globe-hopping. They make it to Venice and I recall the precious memory of my husband and I celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary there. Riding in a gondola (like Spiderman and his buddies), we called home to our children. Another scene was in Berlin and a flashback came of us with our backpacks traveling via ferry, taxi on the autobahn, and the train and into Berlin (one of our rare “flying by the seat of our pants” adventure). Another scene was in Holland and I recalled to the boys that I was there with my friends at the Tulip Festival.

I titled this blog “Living Like There is No Tomorrow” and I realize that I/we have done that – in the meager times when we’d go camping in tents, roasting marshmallows and fishing with our young children to make memories and moments count. The trip to Sweden, Denmark and Germany came as a result of my husband winning an 8-day all-expense-paid trip – a true blessing from God and my husband’s winning putt at an LPGA tournament contest. We lived like there was no tomorrow by being willing to back-pack to places we had never been before and my trip to Holland was an adventure with friends.

Having this precious time with my grandchildren is a change from my normal and comfortable routine, but living like there is no tomorrow means making every minute count in this day. I’m doing that today. We are heading back to Austin to spend several days celebrating my son’s birthday. We will laugh, eat, reminisce and celebrate his life. We’ll live and celebrate like there is no tomorrow. That's just the way our family rolls.

My encouragement to you is to join me in living like there is no tomorrow. Maybe, not so much with the need to travel to distant locations, but to live with no regrets. Live now like there is no tomorrow. Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?” explains that we have no guarantee of tomorrow because we don't know when it’s time for us to leave earth. We are famous for postponing things where we shouldn't. Our schedules may be busy, but making time for things and people that matter – in the light of eternity.

Today’s blog motive is an encouragement to us to live everyday like there's no tomorrow. Tomorrow just may not come – it didn’t for my sweet grandfather who went to bed beside his beloved wife and never woke up. It didn’t for those in the Twin Towers on 9/11 who went to their routine job and never saw another day. Don’t postpone anything, do it now. Don’t stress over little or big things – like my guest bathroom toilet overflowing yesterday. Breathe, get the plunger, clean up the mess... and let it go. Choose love over anger and hate. Spend time with God – getting right with Him – settling once and for all “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Since God is in control, and we’re not – we can make choices to be happy, to smile, laugh, use wisdom when we speak, and answer with love. Living this day and every day like there is no tomorrow.

Treasuring the Treasures of Life and in the Light of Eternity

If you keep up with my posts, you’ll know that I’ve been going back and forth to Tulsa over the last few weeks to help with my 95-year old Mother-in-Law‘s move to Karen’s (my sis-in-law's) home. It was Mom’s admission of not wanting to live alone “in this big house” any longer, when she told Karen, that she was ready to move. How beautiful that Mom made that decision on her own. We all knew that was soon-at-hand because she hasn’t been feeling well for some time now. Though Mom's room at Karen's was beautifully prepared and ready for her weeks ago, Karen never pushed her to move as she wanted her to still fill in control on the timing. But a couple of days ago, she announced that she was ready and within a couple of hours, they had her at her new home with them.

It came after many sweet and precious moments of her letting go of so many treasures that she had accumulated over her 95 years, and 52 years of marriage. Treasures that were so important to her at one time, now are only important enough to pay-them-forward. The reality of heaven getting so close for her, motivated her to part with those things that, in the light of eternity – just won't matter any more.

How beautiful that many years ago, Mom started writing different ones’ names and the date under the bottom of some of those treasures. With the things not marked, she invited the children and grandchildren to come and select what they wanted. It has been a process, for sure, because Mom wanted to go through drawers, book shelves, cabinets and closets to be able to assign any particular item to one of five places: 1) take with her to Karen’s; 2) leave for children, grandchildren, close friends and relatives to select from; 3) to place in the estate sale that Karen and I will have in the Spring; 4) to give to charity and finally, 5) throw away.

You can just imagine that years of memories and collections of treasures presented many opportunities for story-telling times about “where, when, why and who I got that from”. How thankful we have been to be able to slow our own schedules down to patiently listen and savor the moments with her. And, even greater, that God gave us this time with her while she's still with us, instead of after she graduates to heaven.

One of the dearest treasures I found was a binder of poems that she wrote. She had so many talents – cooking, sewing, playing the organ, ceramics painting, making others laugh at her wit and humor, praying, giving, and now, we knew her brilliant ability to write poetry.  

On Saturday, I drove to Mom’s sister-in-law (Dad’s sister), Aunt Joyce Litke’s home in Waxahachie TX to deliver many of Mom’s clothes, as well as other items that Mom had designated just for her.

Among those things were ceramic reindeer that Grandma Lena Wuerch (Joyce’s Mom) painted and Mom wanted Joyce to have them. Aunt Joyce and I had such a special time together, recalling so many family times together, but the one I treasured most was when she teared up and said, “I miss Ron so much (that’s my husband). He cared for me and encouraged me so much during Adolf’s illness and passing.” I loved that she remembered and it made me remember how devoted he was to her with daily telephone calls and trips to see and encourage her. She gave me an intangible treasure to take home with me. It was worth the trip.

Mom and Dad met with many challenges over the years, but none were as devastating as the tornado that tore through their home and church at Lake Keystone, OK. So much was lost, but a few treasures remained for us to enjoy. Joyce has a ceramic rabbit that made it through the storm and it sits in a prominent spot in her home. After the tornado, Karen’s daughter found a hand painted picture in a frame that was torn and broken. Mom had it repaired and that is the treasure that Georgianne requested Brad, Karen’s son, selected a painting done by another aunt. My Staci chose one of her Bibles and a ceramic flower that she remembered from before the tornado. Ryan wanted anything to do with the “Wuerch” family legacy, so he wanted legacy photos.

Shawntel was given a beautiful Lenox-like teapot, sugar and cream holders that Dad bought Mom when they were ministering in Alberta, Canada and when she was pregnant with my husband, Ron. I received the mink stole that she let me wear to Ron’s Senior Prom. I was also overjoyed to be the recipient of Mom’s little Christmas Tree that sat prominently in her den year after year that Karen had decorated so beautifully (pictured here), as well as her hand-painted nativity set. We all took home many other treasures from our visits with Mom -- that we will all treasure, on earth, until we start to see "in the light of eternity" and pay them forward to our families.

I’m sharing with you this really “big moment” for our family of transition time from one earthly home that was dear to Mom and Dad, and all of us for many years, to her new home with Karen and George. It is a major transition time for them as well. We know that God is the conductor of this symphony of life. It may appear that Mom is getting closer to her transition to her heavenly home, and, indeed it is. One day soon, Jesus will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come to your home sweet home."

Rick Warren, in his wonderful book “The Purpose Driven Life” said, "When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. You will start living in “light of eternity”, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance." St. Paul said “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” Philippians 3:7

I think that’s the way Mom is living these days. That’s why when she’s feeling pretty good, she calls people to encourage them and pray with them. She gets it. In the light of eternity. nothing else matters except for Jesus. We’ll treasure her treasures until “the light of eternity” draws us home, too.

What Matters Most is Love

Yesterday, I posted about it being the “The Love Month”, sincerely hoping to awaken our senses to being people that love from the heart this month.

It was like getting a high-5 from God when later in the day, I opened one of my resource books, Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Drive Life”, to the chapter I was about to read next. Imagine the “Atta’ Girl” I sensed when I saw that the title of this chapter was “What Matters Most” is that we "walk in love".

This life we live is truly all about love. Of course it is, because God IS LOVE and the most important lesson He wants us to learn on earth is how to love. To say “I love you” can sound like a cliché if our actions don’t measure up to those words. We say “I love you” in the same sentence that we say “I love chocolate cake” and there are times when it seems the one saying those words loves chocolate cake more than us. We express our love in actions by giving someone a gift as a token of our love, while evaluating the size or cost of the gift based on “What did the gift THEY gave me cost – I don’t want to spend more than what they spent on me?” We say “I love my neighbor” in the same thought as “I wish my neighbor would keep his kids off my lawn”.

Rick Warren says: “Learning to love unselfishly is certainly not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That’s why we’re given a lifetime to learn it. Of course, God wants us to love everyone, but He’s particularly concerned that we learn to love others in His family. Paul wrote: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10.

That’s why it’s so awesome to be in the Family of God. Not because we are a “click” or “club unto ourselves”. It’s because we resemble our Father. We act like Him. We talk like Him. We walk like Him. We forgive like Him. We LOVE like Him. That’s why our character, being in His likeness, should speak volumes over those who are outside the Family of God.

Back to Rick Warren’s words “Why does God insist that we give special love and attention to other believers? Why do they get priority in loving? Because God wants his family to be known for its love more than anything else. Jesus said our love for each other – not our doctrinal beliefs – is our greatest witness to the world. He said, “Your strong love for each other will PROVE TO THE WORLD that you are my disciples.” John 13:35.

Yesterday, my post encouraged us to reach out with love during this love month and beyond. Love isn’t learned from hiding out. We must be around people, even those cranky, grumpy and even frustrating people around us, because God's LIGHT of LOVE in us is what the world needs NOW.

Life really is all about love. It matters most. It takes top priority. So, let’s be LOVE show-offs and go spread some of the love today!!

Made to Last Forever

Jack Silvey, husband, of my dear friend, Jo Silvey, graduated to heaven yesterday. We knew this day was close because Jack has been ill for quite some time, but nevertheless when the time comes, we still experience the sudden jolt of separation from the one whom we have loved, adored, celebrated, served, made memories with, and dreamed with. So many emotions wrapped up in theses times: gladness/sadness, remembering/forgetting, rejoicing/grieving, funeral/graveside, keep their things/give away things, make decisions quick/slow, and with King Solomon we live his words from Ecclesiastes 3: There's "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance"....... and oh, so many more highs and lows. From this widow's first hand experience to Jo and others, I can tell you, it's a roller coaster ride of emotions. I know what it means to watch my loved one in so much pain; I know what it is for my loved one to "go home"; I know what it is to have to deal with financial issues; I know what it is to not know what tomorrow holds. But I can tell you the opportunity will soon be given to realize "My loved one is gone....but I'm not. I'm still here, so God isn't finished with me yet. Now it's time to run MY RACE strong to the Finish Line!"

One of the resource books I'm reading during my one month hiatus with God, is Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life". How applicable was the chapter, "Made to Last Forever" that was in my readings, yesterday. Listen to this excerpt: "This life is not all there is. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on on the other side of death -- in eternity -- than you will here. Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. This life is preparation for the next. The Bible says, "No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord." 1 Corinthians 2:9. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won't be the last of you. Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday into eternal life. Years ago a popular slogan encouraged people to live each day as "the first day of the rest of your life." Actually, it would be wiser to live each day as if it were the last day of your life. Matthew Henry said, "It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day."

With those words, I'd like to congratulate my friend, Jack Silvey, because his bags were packed, he was prepared and when his name was called, he walked through that door to eternity. As I was my sweetheart's midwife pushing him through that door, so was Jo as she watched him go home yesterday. Here's the best news of all.....we didn't say "Good bye, Jack"; we just said, "See ya' later", because as we live each day as if it were our last.....then we'll walk through that door to our HOME SWEET HOME, too, and the bands will be playing, choirs will be singing and all our beloved loved ones will be on the sidelines cheering for us loud and strong as we cross our Finish Line. In the meantime, let's give our best to God in each day on this side of heaven while we live with eternity in our hearts. I intend to finish strong right along with You and You and You! See ya' later!

The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose-Driven Life
I saw this photo and I knew it would be my post for today, December 8th. It touched me so much as it reminded me of God's grand scheme to send His only begotten Son to this earth with the ultimate purpose of dying on a cross for you and me.....so that we could spend eternity with the WHOLE FAMILY of God! Now, that's what I call a "Purpose-Driven-Life".

God also created us with purpose and destiny. This day, in particular, is a huge reminder of that, because I'm celebrating the birth of my baby girl today. And, without a doubt, I know that God was "on purpose" in creating her, and He used her dad and I as vessels to raise her, pour His Word into her, and help direct her in her quests to fulfill her destiny.

I'm remembering the anticipation we had for the day when she would be born. Of all the names we thought about if we had a little girl.....we finally decided on Staci Michelle. Staci means "resurrection life" and Michelle means "close to God". While we had no idea what the future would hold....we knew God and, and we knew He guided us to that name. In so many ways, she brings resurrection life to so many she encounters, as she leads them to the ONE who replaces their fears, rejection, defeat, depression, darkness, pain, and indifference with a new life in Him.

I don't tell you this to impress you, but to impress upon you how important it is to calculate, ponder, pray for and get God's vision for your children. He had that vision for His Son. Would He expect less of us in casting vision for our children? Staci, being born in December, draws my attention to Gabriel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:30 "And, behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you will call his name Jesus." I love that Isaiah 9:6 even gave definition to His name before He was born, "And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

We were all born on purpose by God and FOR His purpose. We are not an accident. God planned the days of our life in advance. God had a plan in creating us and each of us was designed with a purpose in mind. God made us so He could love us.

On a final note about the names we give our children....what we name our children shouldn't be a mere conglomeration of letters that we put together as a convenient way to refer to them. God proved that when He named His son Jesus -- that name that is ABOVE all other names, that descibes His personality and gives interpretation of His character traits. He lived up to His name and it gives us hope, life, and blessing. Indeed, names are important! How awesome that His name is THE ONE like no other! How awesome is it that His purpose was wrapped up in His name that "at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord." Philippians 2:10