THIS Is The Day!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I hardly know where to start as I sit here and write. This is a deep post for me. Not deep in words; "WELL" is about the deepest word I know. This post is deep in meaning and importance. If only the words would flow as the feelings flow in me; if only I could separate the words that are so jumbled in my mind.

I have come close to writing a post in the past about the subject I'm writing on today...but the time never seemed right. Well, the time is right! I cannot even begin to tell how right the time is!

When my husband pastored Bethany, Bro. Harold the song leader would have us sing a song titled "What Will I Leave Behind?" quite often. I have heard that song most of my life. Just in the past year has it really caught my attention. I've thought of this song quite a bit lately.

Last week, one of my teachers in high school and a fellow Belmontian's thirty-four year old daughter in law had a massive heart attack. She is in the hospital in a very serious condition. She and her husband have two children under the age of five. From all accounts, she was a healthy lady that took care of herself; no previous problems that I've heard of, but that Monday evening, she called her husband and the paramedics to come to her rescue when she realized something was terribly wrong. Very little hope was given to her family that night and next day.

Her husband went back to their home church Sunday morning and gave a very extensive testimony of all the miracles they had seen since that Monday before. His testimony was in 3 parts, and during the first two minutes of Part 1, I had chill bumps all over me and tears were flowing down my cheeks. He was also telling about her last few messages on Face book; they were happy and caring words, and in her notebook were the words from Psalms that I shared with you above. All of his words about her were so positive. We are all praying that this dear lady is healed completely and can go home and be a wife and mommy once again, but even though I've never met her, I only know her husband's family, her life has touched mine just through the words of her husband. People have gone to the hospital to give blood and offer their help to this family by large numbers. Her husband said, "She is loved."

Before you read any further, please know this is not a depressing, gloom filled post. Yes, it involves dying, but mostly, it involves LIVING. THIS IS THE DAY! Not tomorrow, not next week, or next year, THIS! THIS is the day I have to love, THIS is the day I have to give, THIS is the day I have to serve, THIS is the day I have to worship, THIS is the day I have to spread cheer and gladness, THIS may be the only day I have. Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 I need to make THIS day count!

Back to the song: "What Will I Leave Behind?"
Verse 1: After I leave for worlds unknown, Over the border line:
Never again on earth to roam. What will I leave behind?

Verse 2: Will I be missed by those I love, Or have I been unkind?
Have I been true to God above, What will I leave behind?

Verse 3: This is my prayer, O Lord, today, Let me be wholly thine;
When I am called from earth away, Let heaven then be mine.

Chorus: Leave behind, yes, leave behind, what will I leave behind?After I leave for worlds unknown, What will I leave behind?

(written by Sherrill Brown)

My son and I were on our way to get the oil changed in my van today. One of our preacher friends preaches on the radio each day, and it was time for his message, so we tuned him in.Would you believe he brought about the thought of What will I leave behind? He told of a great man of God who said that he wanted to live in such a way that he would be missed at the end of his life.

Seems like everywhere I turn lately, this thought has stared me in the face.

Here is the whole point of this post: How will people remember me when I'm gone? What will I leave behind? I'm not talking about leaving behind money, houses, and land! Will I leave behind kindness, love, care, faithfulness, laughter? What will I leave behind? So, I asked myself this question today...How do I want people to remember me when I'm gone? And again, let me remind you, this is not about death, it's about living! These are some verses that came to my mind of how I would like to be remembered. I only dream of some of these; I'm the weakest of all God's children. Any good that has been in my life is all because God put it there. Within myself, I'm nothing. I thought of Titus 2:3-5 and verses 7 & 8. These are touchy verses in this day and age. But, they are still in the Bible! The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Verses 7 & 8: In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. I also thought of the verses in Matthew and John that tells us over and over again to love our neighbor as ourself, to love one another, and to even love our enemies. I thought of Proverbs 17:17 where it says that a friend loves at all times. When people think of me, will they think of my love for my husband and children? Could they see that I truly and deeply loved and cared about my neighbors and people I came in contact with? What about my enemies, did I love them as well? Was I a teacher and example of 'good' things? Was I a 'pattern of good works'? Could they tell I loved God with all my heart, soul, and mind? I Corinthians 15:58 says Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Oh how I want to be remembered as a REAL christian...not wishy washy...not lukewarm! I want to be remembered as consistent, faithful, peaceable, loving, caring, joyful! What will I leave behind? We all leave behind something whether we plan to or not. What about my attitude? Is it good or bad? We all have bad days and I don't feel like Miss Merry Sunshine some days, but I desire to be the best I can be for God. I desire to shine brightly and to keep the main thing the main thing! Oh how I love Jesus because He first loved me. I encourage you to make each day count. Love deeper, give generously, laugh louder, pray and study God's Word longer, speak kindly, walk the walk, praise genuinely, witness boldly... I could go on and on. Dear friend, what will you leave behind?

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