I take pictures of everything. When my children were young, I took pictures of all their “firsts”- first tooth, first haircut, first school bus ride, first day of school. I still take pictures of my youngest daughter on the first day of each school year.
What I don’t have is pictures of their “lasts”. The last time they crawled because they had moved on to walking. No picture. I didn’t know it was the last. The last time my little one climbed up into my lap. No picture. I didn’t know it was the last time. The last bedtime story we read together. No picture.
I didn’t know.
Life is short. It’s full of “firsts” and “lasts”. We take so many things for granted. We often don’t value the here and now because we think we have the later. But what if we don’t ?
James tells us “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV)
Sounds like James is on to something there. Maybe he wants us to realize that today is an important day. Actually, it’s the last (fill in today’s date) that we will ever get. Are you valuing it? Are you being present in the moments that you have with the ones you love?
Think about the most important people in your life. If you knew that today would be their last day on earth or your last day on earth what would you say or do differently? Would you say “I love you”? Hug them a little longer? Make that phone call? Look them in the eye? Forgive? Ask for forgiveness?
If so, what are you waiting for?
When is the last time you went on a date with your spouse?
Took a vacation?
Looked into your child’s eyes and truly listened?
Visited your parents?
Went to lunch with a friend?
Don’t let that last time be the last time. Make plans now and when you’re in the moment- BE in the moment. Time is a treasure. Spend it well.
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