Thinking about It

Last night I went to a viewing for a friend who died unexpectedly this week. As the family gathered around there was a underlying quiet question, "why did this happen?"

He was to be married shortly to a close friend of our family. He was young-younger than my 47 years of life. He was the youngest of the three siblings. He had just retired and had so much to look forward to with a new wife and various opportunities.

As I left, I felt for this family and all the pain they are going through.

I also left thinking. Just thinking. Pondering. Wondering.

How often do I really do just that? Think. Wonder. Ponder. Examine.

A month ago I was in a similar place.

I was visiting the grave site of my grandfather and uncle.

They were buried in a cemetery in Pocatella Idaho near a golf course my grandpa built.

I had visited here before, maybe 6-8 years ago. But something was different this time. Maybe I am growing up or just getting older. Maybe it was that we some extra time to just wander around. Maybe it had to do with the previous day visiting a place my parents told me they would like to be placed when their years are done.

Or perhaps it is just because both my Uncle and my Grandpa have the exact name as me.

See, my name, my exact name, is on both those stones.

Not only that, but there is plenty of open space nearby.

If I don't pause here and now to think about IT, when will I?

It's beyond cliche' to say life is busy.

I can't be the only one to feel a sense that (my) life is going quickly in a direction that feels like a fast paced river.

What if I need to change boats?

Or even Rivers?

Sometime I even wonder if the river is going the right direction-this culture can have quite a pull on trying to live for God's kingdom values!

Ever feel like this?

You know, it's not death that scares me. What scares me is not living life.

It's not being true to be all I have been created to be. A human being. Not a human doing. Created in His image. Created to be His workmanship. Created to love Him with all my being. Every minute. Every day. To live a life of great adventure as His child.

I know I cannot control the day God brings me home.

But I do have a say, a choice, what gets my time, attention and energy this very day.

But I have to stop and think about IT.