Stages of life. Everyone has them and goes through them. You have your baby stage. Then comes your childhood followed by the teenage years. Then your onto young adulthood followed by just being an adult. Hitting the prime stage and finally your last stage. The stage I'm in right now, I don't particularly care for, for this one reason. People are starting to pass away. Parents, friends parents, friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates. The list goes on and on. Not a day or a week goes by where I don't hear of someone I know passing away. It saddens me. Especially people that I know well, or better than just a "hi, how ya doin'" How I wish I could have talked with them one more time, or paid them another visit, just to say "hi".
James 4:14 (NLT)14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
That's right folks. Life is short. You think that you'll have plenty of time with someone and then the next thing you know, they are gone, forever! We all think that we are guaranteed a tomorrow, but we are not guaranteed anything. When you die, people will come from miles around to see your body and give last respects. But where are they when you are alive? To busy to come and visit when you are above ground, but can carve out time to come to your visitation. Doesn't make sense. Life is short! We need to love people while they are here. We need to hug more, kiss more, have more fun together. We need to learn how to forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 (NLT)13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
The older we get and people start to pass away, and things aren't like they used to be. I realize that the petty little stuff from life just doesn't matter anymore. It just doesn't! Carrying around a grudge against someone who offended you just isn't worth it. Maybe you had plans of forgiving them, but then something happens and they are gone, forever. Now you have to carry that guilt with you. Of not making things right.
So, in this stage of my life I am going to go out of my way to be kind to people. To be caring, compassionate and forgiving. Life is to short to do otherwise!
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
I am going to try my best to model what Jesus showed us to do.
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