Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Life Lessons

A friend of mine was put on hospice today and is in serious condition.  It makes me sad.

One of the hardest things I've found about living in a nursing home is the constant reminder of death and the finality of life.  By the time most people come here, they've already entered their end-of-life journey.  I can count 27 residents here who have passed away in the year and a half since I've been here.  I don't mean to sound morbid.  That's just the reality of living in a nursing home.  Death is a daily fact of life.

I've met a lot of great people here.  Some come for only a short time to take therapy.  Others come here to die.  All of this makes me think about my own life, and it has forced me to change some things.

None of us is guaranteed a long life.  Psalm 90:10 says, "Our days may come to 70 years or 80 if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."

Time passes so quickly and before we know it we come to the end of our lives, and it's time to die.  I've come to realize what really matters:

  • Put God first.  When you get your priorities straighf, everything else will fall into place.
  • Love More.  Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  Love your family, love your friends. Love life and live it to the full.
  • Pray.  Pray about big things; pray about small things; pray about everything.  God cares about every detail of our lives.
  • Cherish Every Moment.  Don't take life for granted.  Follow your heart and follow your dreams.
  • Don't Worry.   Don't sweat the small stuff.... it's ALL small stuff.
  • Live For Today.  Don't let the past overshadow the future.  Repent for past sins, forget  past mistakes, let go of past hurts, move on.
  • Laugh.  Don't take yourself too seriously.  Live, love, laugh.
  • One Day At A Time.  We're not promised tomorrow.  Live each day like it could be your last because it could be your last. 

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