I recently re-read Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli. It's a great read and I can so relate! In one chapter he wrote: "I just want to be remembered as a person who loved God, who served others more than her served himself, who was trying to grow in maturity and stability. I want to have more victories than defeats, yet here I am, almost 60, and I fail on a regular basis." That book was originally published in 2001.
Mike was the co-founder of Youth Specialities. I tried to attend the National Youth Worker's Convention every year as I always returned refreshed and renewed for ministry. At the convention in October, 2003, Mike was his usual high-energy, goofy self. It was always wonderful to be in his presence and be inspired by the faith he lived.
That was his last convention here on earth as he died on his return trip home. The official cause of his death was a car accident, though word spread he had suffered a massive heart attack that caused the accident. He was dead immediately. There was no hope of resuscitation.
As I re-read Messy Spirituality recently, I was reminded of this from Mike: "I just want to be remembered as a person who loved God, who served others more than he served himself, who was trying to grow in maturity and stability. I want to have more victories than defeats, yet here I am, almost 60, and I fail on a regular basis."
We tend to think more of our final days as we grow older. We also think of such things as we face major life events: marriage, birth of children, major surgery. There is a need to "be prepared ---- just in case".
So I was drawn to his thoughts as I faced my surgery last week. That is only natural. You are told to "be prepared." While no one expects anything to go wrong, there is always that possibility. The nature of the surgery was so severe I was required to complete six pages of documentation that included many initials besides statements as well re-writing some of the paragraphs to demonstrate my clear understanding of what would be happening. As I told a friend, it seemed that every other paragraph I wrote "And I might die." ... or "I could die" ... yet again "AND I might die ..." Goodness!
I did what I was supposed to do -- made sure I had a complete will as well as any other things in order. I was ready. It was probably the only time in my life I have been so ready for an event such as death.
Don't mean to sound morbid -- just ... prepared.
I must admit I'm glad my "riches" aren't being distributed among loved ones. I'm glad I am around a bit longer. I'm excited for the days ahead. Who knows what's around the next corner? I have no clue but that doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter because I'm ready.
I'm ready for a new day of living life and loving.
I'm ready for new beginnings, whatever that means.
That's what is called of us -- to be ready. We are all called to be prepared because, in being preparing, we don't allow life's blows to throw us. Being prepared most especially means where we are in our faith life so that when we are in the worst of times others see the best in us. That is certainly my prayer though I begrudgingly admit I think people see me at my worse far more than I care for ... my prayer as I go in to a new day is that others may look at me and see God in me.
Less of me, O Lord, and more of You!
Enjoying the Journey,
Debra
bebprov356.blogspot.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --
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