Tell my Wife and Kids I love Them
I was on the way home from work today and heard another report about the terrible fire in South Carolina. The fire killed 9 fire fighters when a firestorm erupted and the roof suddenly collapsed in a big, warehouse-type building. A bystander was being interviewed and told of being within earshot of one of the fire fighters on the street and his radio. He was communicating with his comrades inside the building after the roof collapsed. The bystander said that he heard one of the men trapped inside the building say, "It looks like I am not going to get out of this thing. Tell my wife and kids I love them." Then, apparently, there was radio silence. The bystander couldn't listen anymore and he walked away - overcome by the emotion of it I guess.
The fire fighter's request reminded me of a couple of things:
1. God has ordained our days and He gives us only one shot at this life.
2. Money and "stuff" ain't important.
1. God has numbered our days.
I don't know how this works practically speaking - especially when there are terrible accidents that take people's lives. You can't explain why God didn't save those people - or any others caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. If He is so powerful - then why allow all of the death and destruction? Don't know. Won't try to explain it away with simplistic, pious sounding soapbox speeches about how we sin and live in a fallen world, etc. Those kinds of answers don't really answer the question we are asking. The only response (notice I Didn't say "answer") I can give is that though we don't understand, God has proven himself faithful to me as I have sought to follow Him the last 10 years or so. He has provided for me even when I didn't want anything to do with Him. He can be trusted. We don't have His perspective, so we can't pretend to know what He is thinking. All we can say is, "Lord, we don't understand why you allowed this tragedy to happen, but we love You and we trust You." Easy words to say. Hard words to put into action when your in the middle of the crappiness of life. But let's face it, they don't call it "faith" for nothing and it's faith that is required to make it in this world - even if your faith is put into something other than Christ (though I wouldn't recommend that - you'll be sorely disappointed in the end). Speaking of the end, when it comes right down to it, Christ is our only hope - now and in eternity. Hold fast to the one who is the author and perfector of your faith. If you don't know Him, begin the journey of faith by asking Him to come into your life and have His way. His way is through His Son Jesus, Who died on the cross for your sins. Through Jesus is the only way to God. I know that's not popular in today's world (nor was it during Jesus' time by the way) - but popularity has never dictated truth and it never will. Settle things with Him right now - before it's too late.
2. Money and "stuff" ain't important.
We have all been told this, Problem is, money makes the world go 'round - and actually we do need it. But to elevate it and the chase after it as being anymore important than simply using it to provide for our needs, is pointless and not really who we are about as human beings. We weren't created to make money and accumulate stuff. We were made to worship God and give Him the glory by loving Him and those in our lives - our families. If this was not true, why then did that man not say, "Dang it! Why didn't I make more money before I died?" or "Tell my wife to be sure to invest my money wisely!" No. He said, "Tell my wife and kids I love them." He knew in an instant what was important. Family. It's embedded into us by God that we KNOW what's important - or I should say, WHO'S more important - even if we act otherwise. We need to remember that in the end, it's the memories and time and moments we spend with those we love that matter - these are what makes a legacy worth leaving - and a legacy that will last. Money is nice, but it's a terrible legacy to leave if it's the only thing left. It's been said that we all leave a legacy whether we like it or not. What's yours going to look like?
So to end this rambling post (I'm exhausted from a long day and little sleep) - I was reminded once again, that despite my failings in working too much - trying to make more money to buy more stuff (or buy a bigger security net - which is another issue altogether!) - and despite the fact that I have been told a cazillion times that family and time spent with them is the most important thing in this life apart from knowing my Savior - that there is still time left for me to focus on what's important: my wife and my family.
Trudy I love you! (assuming she takes the time to read her hubby's blog!)
Chelsea, I love you and miss you! (hoping that she is reading her daddy's blog)
Christopher and Zachary I love you too! (hoping that Trudy will share these lines with the boys while I am at work)
I know of at least 9 families that will never hear those kinds of words again from their husbands and fathers. It's good just to be able to type them and even better to be able to turn around now and say it to them in person!
The fire fighter's request reminded me of a couple of things:
1. God has ordained our days and He gives us only one shot at this life.
2. Money and "stuff" ain't important.
1. God has numbered our days.
I don't know how this works practically speaking - especially when there are terrible accidents that take people's lives. You can't explain why God didn't save those people - or any others caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. If He is so powerful - then why allow all of the death and destruction? Don't know. Won't try to explain it away with simplistic, pious sounding soapbox speeches about how we sin and live in a fallen world, etc. Those kinds of answers don't really answer the question we are asking. The only response (notice I Didn't say "answer") I can give is that though we don't understand, God has proven himself faithful to me as I have sought to follow Him the last 10 years or so. He has provided for me even when I didn't want anything to do with Him. He can be trusted. We don't have His perspective, so we can't pretend to know what He is thinking. All we can say is, "Lord, we don't understand why you allowed this tragedy to happen, but we love You and we trust You." Easy words to say. Hard words to put into action when your in the middle of the crappiness of life. But let's face it, they don't call it "faith" for nothing and it's faith that is required to make it in this world - even if your faith is put into something other than Christ (though I wouldn't recommend that - you'll be sorely disappointed in the end). Speaking of the end, when it comes right down to it, Christ is our only hope - now and in eternity. Hold fast to the one who is the author and perfector of your faith. If you don't know Him, begin the journey of faith by asking Him to come into your life and have His way. His way is through His Son Jesus, Who died on the cross for your sins. Through Jesus is the only way to God. I know that's not popular in today's world (nor was it during Jesus' time by the way) - but popularity has never dictated truth and it never will. Settle things with Him right now - before it's too late.
2. Money and "stuff" ain't important.
We have all been told this, Problem is, money makes the world go 'round - and actually we do need it. But to elevate it and the chase after it as being anymore important than simply using it to provide for our needs, is pointless and not really who we are about as human beings. We weren't created to make money and accumulate stuff. We were made to worship God and give Him the glory by loving Him and those in our lives - our families. If this was not true, why then did that man not say, "Dang it! Why didn't I make more money before I died?" or "Tell my wife to be sure to invest my money wisely!" No. He said, "Tell my wife and kids I love them." He knew in an instant what was important. Family. It's embedded into us by God that we KNOW what's important - or I should say, WHO'S more important - even if we act otherwise. We need to remember that in the end, it's the memories and time and moments we spend with those we love that matter - these are what makes a legacy worth leaving - and a legacy that will last. Money is nice, but it's a terrible legacy to leave if it's the only thing left. It's been said that we all leave a legacy whether we like it or not. What's yours going to look like?
So to end this rambling post (I'm exhausted from a long day and little sleep) - I was reminded once again, that despite my failings in working too much - trying to make more money to buy more stuff (or buy a bigger security net - which is another issue altogether!) - and despite the fact that I have been told a cazillion times that family and time spent with them is the most important thing in this life apart from knowing my Savior - that there is still time left for me to focus on what's important: my wife and my family.
Trudy I love you! (assuming she takes the time to read her hubby's blog!)
Chelsea, I love you and miss you! (hoping that she is reading her daddy's blog)
Christopher and Zachary I love you too! (hoping that Trudy will share these lines with the boys while I am at work)
I know of at least 9 families that will never hear those kinds of words again from their husbands and fathers. It's good just to be able to type them and even better to be able to turn around now and say it to them in person!
Comments
Love,
Chelsea