When the sun begins to set on each day, can you say you've treated the day as the gift that it has been? |
We take so much of life for granted. Especially those of us blessed
with good health. We charge through each day with our schedules, commitments,
to-do lists and sundry activities, tumble into bed – and start it all over again the
next day. We rarely pause to appreciate life’s little blessings, such as being
able to see a pretty flower, listen to birds chirping nearby, or even take a deep
breath.
Not everyone is so fortunate. We observe people that are sightless,
others that sign to communicate because they can’t hear. And occasionally we learn about
individuals for whom the seemingly simple act of breathing is a challenge.
My friend David is one of the latter. At 18 months old,
he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic, incurable disease that affects
the lungs and digestive system. Initially David wasn’t expected to survive
childhood, but thanks to very supportive parents, medical advances, excellent
healthcare – and God’s grace – he has reached his 46th birthday.
He’s got a beautiful family – a wife and five children – and
has achieved a successful professional career despite his disability. But David
never takes any of that for granted. Just inhaling and exhaling serve as
constant reminders.
David is now in the process of qualifying as a candidate for
a double lung transplant. He doesn’t seek pity or sympathy. To the contrary, he’s
the first to insist how abundant his life has been. He’d like to remind each of
us that every new day is truly a gift. Recently he wrote the following:
“Got to spend time with the family
at the lake house. I love (our children) slalom and wakeboard, riding the tube
and doing flips off the boat. Things for me are not as easy as they use to be,
but no less rewarding. Every day is a gift.
Life is not to be taken for
granted. I am reminded that breathing is essential. Today I jumped into the
lake. Actually, I did a flip. After hitting the water I realized I had trouble
catching my breath. I used to swim for hours in the water and never tire. Times
have changed, but the desire to live and fight is still here. My kids have to
do more themselves, but they know I am out there with them and that's what
matters.”
For years I’ve made a practice of trying to keep the value
of each day foremost in my mind. Many mornings I recite the biblical reminder,
“This is the day the Lord has made; let
us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). From God’s perspective, each
day is a gift He has freely given, filled with opportunities, challenges and
surprises. When we awaken each morning, we discover He’s presented us with another day.
We shouldn’t squander it.
Another passage underscores the importance of being good
stewards with the time we’re given: “Look
carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the
best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Another translation calls this "redeeming the time."
That doesn’t mean
frantically trying to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of every 24-hour
period, but it does advise making the effort to appreciate each day, because
it’s all we’ve got. Yesterday’s gone; tomorrow might never come. All we have is
today.
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