Recently we had to attend the funeral of a good friend of my husband. This man’s life was celebrated simply but not because he deserves simple. Because he was simple.
A man of true character and simplicity. If you look around this is really rare these days. This man worked a simple job, made a minimal salary. Yet he was the first one to give when someone was in need. This man had no cell phone or computer but he chose to write hand written letters and mail them ‘just because.’ No occasion. Not a birthday or Christmas. Just because he thought of others way more than he thought of himself.
On the way home from the funeral. I couldn’t escape the thoughts of this life of simplicity. How hard would it be to truly grasp hold of it? I want it.
I want simple times.
I want less busy.
I want to give more to others.
I want to think of myself less.
I want everyone I meet to know they are loved.
I want to extend laughter and hope.
I want my smile to mean something to someone.
I want my touch to linger.
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How often have you thought of the ‘after’?
After you’re gone what will it be like for those who knew you? What is it most that you wish for them to remember about you?
Selfishly I want the people I know to miss me when I’m gone. Like there’s a gaping wide hole in their heart because I meant so much to them that it will take a very long time to forget me.
But as I look at my life. The choices I’ve made. The time I’ve spent. The resources I’ve used. I don’t know that I’ve made the best ones so far. Sure I’ve made good ones. But I’ve made a lot of lousy ones too.
I want my life to remembered in this way:
“Melanie, a selfless woman. Who gave of herself freely. A woman whose love knew no bounds. A woman who extended grace daily. A mother who did above and beyond. A wife who gave selflessly to her husband and treated him like a king.”
But I’m working on it. I’m a work in progress. And I think that’s why this hit me so hard. I have so much room to grow. So many seeds yet to plant. So many gifts yet to give.
God is not finished with me yet. He’s only just begun to show me my potential as I live through Christ. I CAN make the most of every day.
I can dance in sorrow. Utter thanks for tomorrow.
Smile in the rain. Give thanks in the pain.
Sacrifice daily.
Extend grace freely.
Live joyously in the hard times.
I want my mindset to be fixed on heavenly things. Not on things on this earth. I take a moment to ponder my day. Those 24 hours that I’m blessed with over and over again.
How many of those 24 hours are spent on fruitless tasks and words? Ones that fade away and have no tomorrow.
How many of those are spent on live giving, life building, fulfilling, love sustaining tasks and words? Ones that will not fade away but are here to stay.
My goal is to live out days that are meaningful regardless of who I’m with.
My goal is to make moments that last. Words that linger. And service that endures.
“Dear God, please help me as I seek simplicity. I want less stuff and more of you. I want less of me and more for others. Show me the way. What needs to go. What needs to stay. May I live my life fully and without hesitation for you and You alone. Amen.”
Melanie
xo
Shared on: Time Warp Wife, Growing Home
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