It's the regret.
And it's not regret or the things I wanted to do but didn't, nor for what I did but shouldn't have done (long list there).
It's for what I started, but never really carried through. It's for what I brought into my life, and then, through distraction or through looking 'beyond', neglected. It's for everything begun, and left unbuilt. (Build is the Five Minute Friday propmpt this week.)
Living like you're dyin' isn't checking off a bucket list.
It's being faithul to what's in your life today.
Behold what's around you now,
and whom you hold most dear.
Given life's too-slender bough,
why did you bring them here?
And do you now, in ruddy health
give them that which you envisioned?
Or in aspiration, dreams of wealth
do you leave them ill-provisioned?
The simple truth is that we reach
beyond that which we hold
yearning seaward from a western beach
as home-fires grow sadly cold.
They say "Sacrifice, and touch they sky!"
but won't tell you the cost ere you die.
And as for music...well, why not? Tim McGraw with Live Like You Were Dying.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Praying tonight for you (and Barb). Do you know "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend? It is an amazing song (can find on YouTube) but I want to write out the 3rd and 4th verses for you:
ReplyDeleteThere in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death--
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home--
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
Dear Andrew, praying tonight and in the morning...many are lifting you up; I pray for easing of your suffering and peace as you look to the Father.
Love, Kathryn
Kathryn, thank you so much for this! I'm going to Youtube now to find the song.
DeleteThank you so much for your prayers. They are really neeed.
"It's being faithful to what's in your life today." Thanks for the needed kick the butt. :) I appreciate you and pray for his perfect perfect peace.
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you so much for this, and especially for your prayers. Particularly hard this day.
DeleteThank you, Andrew. I'm feeling it. (Actually, it's true.) God bless you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Norma...I'm so glad! Blessings back, dear brave heart.
DeleteDeep wisdom here, Andrew. Thank you again for waking us up from our slumber. Abundant blessings to you. May grace take care of everything we fail to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mari-Anna. I believe that grace does abound; we have to accept it, let it in.
DeleteBlessings back!
Thanks for the very strong reminder of what is truely important NOW. An impactful post, as always. Keeping you in prayer today.
ReplyDeleteSuzette, thank you so much for being here, and for your prayers.
DeleteSO GOOD! This is a question I've asked myself... All of the country variations of Live like you are dying, but personally I always thought that I wouldn't be prone to wishing I'd skydived or climbed that one mountain... However, this idea you've shared is absolutely something I can see for myself... Thank you for honestly sharing. (once again)
ReplyDeleteMisty, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I used to think that I would pursue those bucket list things...until I realized that my life already contained all of the grace and duty that I needed.
DeleteThank you so much for being here!
Such a powerful truth in that song - and one that I have not heard in years. Thoughtful post for me this morning!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it, Jennifer, and am so glad you are here!
DeleteYes. We often romanticize the idea of buckets list living, when God simply calls us to be faithful in the hear and now.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, bucket lists can sure be tempting...and I think in seeing and reaching past them, we maybe touch God's face?
DeleteThis is very wise advice. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Jan, for being here, and for your riendship.
DeleteSo wise my friend! And you can't go wrong with Tim McGraw! I'm in the 22 spot!
ReplyDeleteTara, you're so right. Tim's great. (And so was your post this week!)
DeleteAs always, thank for sharing your wisdom, Andrew! Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being here, Lesley, and especially for your prayers.
DeleteNear the end of the last Harry Potter book, Harry began the walk that he believed would take him from this world to eternity. And as he walked, he was joined by those who had gone before him, and they became more real than the ones he was leaving behind. We're walking with you now, Andrew, but when it's time, leave us behind and join those who will walk with you the rest of the way. And then one day, I hope you will be one of those who will walk me on my last steps from this world to eternity.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Annie in Texas
((((((Annie!))))))
DeleteThank you for sharing this...I hadn't read any of the harry Potter series, but may do so now.
I do appreciate your company on this journey, more than you know, and I do feel the presence of those who have gone before, waiting just up ahead.
"Living like you're dyin' isn't checking off a bucket list.
ReplyDeleteIt's being faithful to what's in your life today."
Amen! We need to be faithful right now moment by moment in His presence. Blessings and love to you and yours! Saying a prayer for you.
Gayl, thank you...your presence here and your prayers are really, really treasured.
DeleteBlessings back, from everyone here!
Such important words for all of us to heed. Thank you for discipling us in your suffering! I hate to hear of the horrendous pain you are in, Andrew. Praying God's grace meets and keeps you in each moment until you fly off into the arms of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteJulia, thank you so much for these kind, grace-filled words, and for your prayers. God's grace does indee surround me, every moment, and in spite of the pain (and as I write this, yeah, horrendous describes it well), I'm OK.
DeleteI know that one of the things that must be so hard for you to stand back and see that it is unfinished is your airplane, Andrew. Or I think you refer to it as your aeroplane, correct? That's got to be so disheartening! But there are so many things you have built and taken farther than I ever expected ... like this blog! I'm so grateful that God has given you many more days and opportunities to speak to us here. And I'm praying for so many more! Hugs and prayers!
ReplyDeleteBeth, it's funny, but not being able to finish the aeroplane isn't really disheartening any more, because its highest value, its raiison d'etre in my life, wa as a work in progress against which I could measure myself, my skills, and my determination. It taught me much, and that it will be for another to complete...that's OK.
DeleteAnd writing this blog has been a signal honour, something that's allowed me to reshape a positive context for my days.
Thank you so much for the hugs and prayers!
Marie, thank you for this...you just made my ay!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and Barb!
ReplyDeleteAnita, thank you so much!
DeleteSo important to see what is right in front of you. Thank you Andrew! We all need reminders. Praying for you always!
ReplyDeleteMary, thank YOU...for your prayers, and for being here.
DeleteYou are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephanie, thank you so much! God does indeed redeem our incompletness, and I believe he will have so much to show us, what He's saved from our wreckage, when we are in His presence.
ReplyDelete