Life...Handle With Care!!

I have quite a few things that I want to share, so I hope it's not to long and that I make sense. Well God has really been speaking to me about how fragile life is. Over the last few weeks, so many sad things have been happening around me. As these things happen around me, I am left asking this question. Do I take life for granted?

Last week I found out that one of my 46 year old patients shot himself after purchasing a hand gun three days prior. He had a beautiful wife and 2 college age kids and was very happy- go -lucky. I am still in such shock and sadness that he couldn't find some other way out than to commit his life to eternal hell, and not to mention the pain and unanswered questions that his family is left with. A life taken for granted.

The day before this happened we learned of Kennon Odum being diagnosed with leukemia... 16 years old and having to deal with such a diagnosis. My heart is hurting for this mother and her son as they face this situation together. A life that must be handled with care.

All the while, I've been reading the journal of Sam Seidel, faithfully each day (the 2 year old that fell in his backyard swimming pool) , as his mother shows the most incredible faith while she watches and waits for her boy to wake up. Again, I can't help but think what a fragile little life that must be handle with care.

And then this past Wednesday night at Refuge, we learn that Gabby Marcantel was killed in a car accident. The life of a beautiful young woman taken so suddenly. We continue to wonder and ask why...why...why?

Why do such things happen? And as I think about all these things, I can't lie. Fear jumps on me like a big ugly monster. It really gets in my head because, I( or any of us for that matter) could be in any of these situations...whether as a wife, mother, or friend. I can't imagine walking in any of these shoes right now, but what I can relate to in each of these scenarios is how precious life is. Nobody can appreciate life as much as those who have had a life taken from them.

I pray that I live life to the fullest and never take for granted my life that God has given me, and all the many lives that he has entrusted me with. I pray that I am the mother that he's called me to be, the wife that he's called me to be, the friend that he has called me to be, and the daugter that he has called me to be.

Then at Refuge, Tweez was saying that when he and Griffus were talking, Griffus said " We have to live each day like Jesus is coming back in 5 minutes. This is so true. We just never know when it will be our turn. Which leads me to my next thought. Am I doing all I can for the cause of Christ? Am I a true disciple and follower of Jesus?

This past thursday at Closer, we discussed "the heart of a disciple" and wow as I studied this lesson, I felt sooo challenged. When people look at my life, do they say " she is definitely a follower of Jesus Christ?

Then 2 really cool things happened Friday. At my job, we were discussing heaven and hell and this one girl looked at me and specifically asked "Paula don't people who do good things go to heaven? And it was so awesome that she asked ME this because I was really feeling inadequate after the lesson the night before. The lesson really made me look at myself and made me think.

That same day the girl that colored my hair was very open to coming to HPC. She had been depressed and looked like she was really searching for something. So I said, "Listen I'm not sure what all you have tried in your life for your pain, but how about giving God a try?" She hasn't been in church in a few years and was feeling that she needed him in her life. She is planning on coming to HPC soon. All glory to HIM!!!

When I left the hair place, I really began to think about the lesson again, and God spoke to my heart, that people are watching and learning from my life. It may be sutttle and I may not see it right away but he does.

So it was really cool because I know we all ask these questions from time to time. Am I doing enough for the kingdom? And I believe the answer is yes. However small that you may think it is, it's big to God.

Anyway kinda long sorry

~Mamma P~