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Squeeze Life With Love and Thanksgiving |
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July 8, 2001 |
| The psalmist
recognized that apart from God, life is meaningless. In Psalm 39:4-6, he
pleads "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days,
let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere
handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's
life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro. He
bustles about, but only in vain; he keeps up wealth, not knowing who
will get it." (NIV)
Even if we lived to be 120, life is still short. Eternity is forever. Many of us work frantically securing our future in this life, but not giving much thought to eternity. Nothing is left behind at death and the wealth accumulated is left to those who didn't earn it. Even then an inheritance can be lost, leaving nothing for all of the hard work. Yes, we work to take care of our families and their material and spiritual needs, but that is different in working hard to gratify self indulgence. Glorifying and satisfying oneself leads to grief, but glorifying God leads to everlasting joy. Life is a gift. Living and loving life one day at a time with gratitude leaves a wealth of precious memories. Be grateful for being alive. Know that God is always with you. Enjoy life today. Share your affection with those you love. Life is far too short for broken relationships, bitterness, unforgiveness and revenge. Forgiving others results in great benefits for you and your health. Making the best of each day with the proper attitude makes your day count. I call it "squeezing life." I squeeze life when a dear friend moves back to Portales and I get to see her often. I believe friends are angels sent by God to remind us to "hug life." I squeeze life when I go to a former student's wedding, enjoying the love and magnitude of the moment. I squeeze life when my husband comes home, and hearing romantic music playing, whispers "Shall we dance?" Sunrise and sunsets are "squeezeable" times for me. There is something breathtaking occurring at these moments. Sunrise proclaims God's glory. Even the birds awaken with a zest for life. The glorious rays of dawn's light illuminate the horizon, welcoming another day of God's wonder. God paints the sunsets with spectacular strokes of magnificence the most talented artist cannot display. I love to be in the country at sunset. In the still of the evening there is an inspiration as God puts nature to bed. I call it "God's Goodnight." My following poem was inspired by just such a scene. "God paints the sunsets with strokes of beauty while nature whispers a soft hushed good-night. New beginnings will come wrapped in hopes and dreams tomorrow, but for now, there is tranquillity. For the weary, God gives rest as quiet blankets the land with peace." How can I not squeeze life is such a setting? Live today. Love your loved ones. Seize the moment! Today is all you have and it can be a great day. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Squeeze life with love and thanksgiving. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Life is delicious! Please don't waste a single day of it. Squeeze it. Love it. Be grateful for it. Then, no matter how long you live, you will not have lived in vain. |