Brief Span
Every time I head off to a combat zone, two words invariably go through my mind. As I was preparing to head back to Iraq on April 19, those two words were bouncing around in my head. They are, “What if?”
For example, “What if this is the last time that I will get to share with you?” I wondered, “What if this is my last kiss, hug, pat on the back and the last chance that I will have to tell somebody how much I love them and care about them?” So, “What if?”
Before I left, I sat down and wrote some letters to a few friends, which I left on my desk. Rivers of the World’s (ROW) Executive Administrator, 3, has instructions on what to do if this or that happens to me while I am gone. We have a file in our safe that she will open and everything is pretty much in order.
It occurred to me that having this perspective should not be reserved only for those heading off to war. All of us should ask “what if” every single day. What would you do if today were your last day to express your love for someone? More importantly, what if this was your last day to share with people that God loves them. Don’t wait for a tragedy to strike to focus upon what is important in your life.
Start today by praying Psalm 39:4-5:
“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.”
Thank you for this insight (April 28 ROWvotion) – so true! And thank you for the appreciation I see on your website for our military families! My son-in-law just returned from his third tour (2 in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan), and I have a new appreciation for the military, for him and my daughter (newly married), and for the number of our days which only our Father knows. It is a blessing to me – a huge blessing – when I come across others who value these young men and women who are so courageously serving our country – and us – with their very lives. Thank you.
I look forward to your devotions here at The National Christian Foundation this coming Monday morning and learning more about ROW!
Mary,
Thank you so much for your reply. As the writer for Ben Mathes, I too have a keen appreciation for our military, having served nearly four years in the Air Force in Germany. I am happy to hear that your son-in-law arrived home safely after three tours. I pray that he will not have to serve another tour in the future.
I have tried to develop the habit of saying, “Lord willing” when I’m talking with someone about seeing them again, being at church Sunday, going somewhere the next day, etc. Only God knows what the future holds for each of us and every breath we are granted is indeed a gift from Him.
God’s richest blessings upon you and The National Christian Foundation.
Serving Him, Karin