Recently one of our board members lost one of his parents. While attending the funeral a few weeks ago I was elaborating about how short life seems to be. My exhortation to those in attendance was “make it count.” Live every day with no regrets! It got me thinking about the illustration of the dash between the year of our birth and the year of our death. It is as if life is a mere dash between two words, Beginning-Ending. Our entire lives are represented by the mere dash.
It got me thinking…
*What would my dash represent?
*What would those who know me best say about my dash?
*Would they say, I loved God, my family and my neighbor?
*How will my life be described?
*What will my legacy be?
I am a preacher, but it is not a "preacher" legacy that I want to be known for, but as a man that followed and chased after the heart of God. We are being watched and observed by our family, our friends, and co-workers. They want to see how we react to the hectic every day craziness that life can bring. How will you be remembered?
Will they say that you trusted and believed in God even when odds seemed insurmountable? Will they say you left a legacy of faith for all those who will come after you? Will they say you buckled under pressure?
What will your dash say about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’d like people to remember your days on this planet!
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3 comments:
My dash is defined as a journey towards an end to a mean. I hope to leave a mark that says "he cared enough to make a difference in someone's life." My desire is to touch those around me in a way that they may see the imprint of the hand of Jesus for a moment to understand that God is love!
It is so profound how little time we have, the Bible talks about 77 years, thats only 77 winters, 77, Summers, 77, Springs, 77 Falls. It's not alot of time. The Dash on our tombstone will represent that 77. It's kinda humbling to realize what little time we have, and makes you ask, What do I want to be rememberd for? When I am Gone and the preacher preaches my funeral is he going to have to lie ? I believe we all need to live our lives, so that the preacher won't have to lie at our funeral.
For those who enjoy poems, here is the "Dash Between the Dates"
I read of a man who stood to speak
At a funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters most is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash,
Might only last a little while .
So, when eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how we spend our dash?
When thinking about your dash, consider this...."People won't remember what you said. People won't remember what you did. But people will remember how you made them feel." Did you make them feel valued?
WWJD?
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