Live Like You Were Dyin'

 Cancer is a scary word. The first two weeks after I received the phone call letting me know I had breast cancer were very hard, especially before we saw any specialists. You have to actively keep your mind busy, so you don't start going to worst case scenario, but you do start to think about death. Having faith doesn't mean that you are never scared, worried or have doubts, but like in many of the Psalms, we lament our current condition, pour our hearts out to God, and then let Him lift us up and remind us to praise Him in the midst of difficult news.

We are beyond grateful for the Lord's steadfastness in this hard providence and rejoice over all the good reports with my cancer being caught early. Yet I continue to wonder how I might live my life better; with the knowledge that death awaits us all.

In the words of the great philosopher, Tim McGraw, "Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dyin'." This year has started off with lots of changes- surgery, new diagnosis, first grandchild, change in job and church and an extended path of treatment ahead. The one common thread so far for me has been to consider more fully what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. 

I have seen this video about Ben Sasse mentioned many times this past week, so I finally watched it. This encapsulates so much of what I have been thinking about. We are all facing death but some people, like Ben, know it is coming very soon. What things are most important? How do we spend our time? Do we focus on things of temporary pleasure or eternal significance?

I haven't even entered the treatment phase for my breast cancer yet, but I already know God is working in my heart to redirect my affections toward Him and get me thinking more about how best to redeem however many more days that He will graciously provide. I pray we all get the chance to live like we were dyin' because we all are.

Until Next Time~

Shari