The Dash

We had a funeral to go to this week - my mom's cousin passed away. At the service they read the poem "The Dash" http://www.simpletruths.tv/dashpoem/
The funeral was in Dublin and I rode down with my parents, my brother and his wife and my aunt. I sat and observed .....a family hanging on to each other, hearing my mom cry with such grief that it broke my heart, talk of good memories of the past, the grief of a mother that lost her son, hearing taps being played, watching the flag being folded ever so carefully and then handed to his mother. I heard her say, "It's not right having him go before me, it's just not right. Siblings trying to be strong for their mom, and then having to say goodbye and driving out of the cemetary....death....makes you think.
We got to stop and see my son Brennon and eat supper with him on our way home - as I sat at the table I realized that we were living in the dash - a family together talking, laughing, being silly, and I am so thankful - so thankful for my family.
As the poem reads - if we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real....
Satan loves to get our minds and focus off of God and on to worldly junk - nonsense - worries...
In this busy time of year - with all the gifts to buy, presents to wrap, places to go, food to cook, house to clean, the panic feeling of leaving someone off your list...and if we would just stop the madness long enough, and Be still.....we just might slow down enough to see God's hand in the miracle birth, imagining what the angels singing of the "good news" for the shepherds must have sounded like, the mother that had to see her Son die on a cross....and probably thinking to herself the same thought ....this just isn't right.
We have 1 week until Christmas Day....I am going to try and make the most of this Christmas - I am going to hug Greg every chance I get, and tell him I love him, I will tell my kids how much I love them, our precious parents (Greg's and mine) - we are so blessed to have them...so healthy - close to home - I will pray that I will keep my eyes on Jesus and not on worldly little problems that come our way. Laughter, being at peace with myself and others, having a joy that is contagious, having compassion when someone is broken hearted and praying for God to give me the words.... and when we look back at this Christmas we will be able to see God's precious hand on us and His love in our hearts binding us as a family.
I do wish you a very Merry Christmas...and that we will all make the most of our "dash"