In the moments, mainly from a life altering event or tragedy, we are reminded that tomorrow is not promised, and life is short. It is in those moments, we tend to do a heart check—life evaluation if you will—and squeeze those we love, a little tighter. So often, life gets, well...busy. Focus shifts on the task at hand, the chaos, the grief, the hustle, the whatever is taking our eyes off our purpose and we lose focus on the dash. Maybe it is partly because we do not want to think about the what ifs. Morbid as it may seem, I often think, if something were to happen to me, would everyone who means so much to me, know it without a doubt? Did I use the time I was given to fulfill the purpose of why I was here? Did I make my dash count? It is my heart’s desire to love those around me well, knowing without a shadow of a doubt, their worth to me. I pray I will leave a legacy, known for loving so well. A girlfriend of mine is losing a dear friend of hers, to a terrible disease. In her sharing the heartache of saying goodbye, I was struck by the incredible impact this woman is leaving. A life well lived, lots of laughs and memories to remember, and a known love for each of them. Wow! A legacy to remember.
Why is it that moments like this, make us stop and evaluate? What if we had the dash on the forefront of our minds each morning? When reflecting on it, it is one of those, easier said than done type deals. It’s easy to have a day being dash driven—but then distraction—life keeps plugging along, and I find it being more of a back burner thought, if I do not train my mind to stay focused on it. In moments, when it seems there is a slow motion, choose this or that, I try to really stop and think, what will leave an impact of love? If you are a parent, you know there are days that bedtime cannot come soon enough. If we are not careful, we wish away precious opportunities at bedtime. After a long day, when a request is made for me to cuddle, so much of me wants, me time. Then I think, tomorrow is not promised, love them well, now. It is in that choice, I am reassured, my little cuddle bugs will know, I loved them, and I can rest in that. How about when a girlfriend asks you to meet for some girl time? Do you let the crazy of your life decide, or do you think, quality time with a girlfriend takes effort but will be time well spent and shift your schedule? Maybe she needs to be loved on from a friend and you could be the one to love her well. How about quality time with your spouse? When was the last time you had a date night? Life gets busy, and if we are not intentional, quality time takes a back seat. When I have this overwhelming feeling, like I haven’t really connected with my husband, I try to find time to spend quality time with him, regardless of how tired or busy I may be. When we dissect the dash, it really is, putting others ahead of yourself in times when we want to be selfish. Now, I am not saying that there are not times we all need a little me time to recharge, but more times than not, choosing to go the extra mile for someone, almost always, fills a much greater purpose. When it is your time for the date after the dash to come, (oh how I hope you have assurance and great joy knowing heaven will be your next stop) it is those you love, who have the lasting memories to cling to. What memories and legacy are you leaving them?
Don’t wait for life’s adversities to remind you: spend the extra time with someone special. Send the text telling them you were thinking of them. Let the laundry go, to create a memory. Say, “Yes,” when your kids want five extra minutes of story time. Be present in the moment. Be intentional with your words of affirmation. Show up. Remind yourself every morning, this truly is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Count your blessings. In every day you are gifted, I hope you find something to be thankful for and I hope you make your dash count to you and those around you!
