What will you be left with?

When  a loved one passes you aren’t left with much – trinkets that mean very little; maybe some money that means even less but the real treasure is found in the memories.

I am grateful that in the last few years we have taken the time to make some memories.  The etchings I have on my heart are warm and inviting.  Places I can linger long and cherish and for that I am eternally grateful. 

There are those who chose less  - much less - and for a long time that really bothered me.

Yet now, after years of anger and frustration, I finally realize that it is their loss not mine and truly not even hers.   What they are left holding are dusty recollections – years long passed – warped and worn neither cherished nor attended.  Forever it will be their shortfall and their legacy.

Be mindful my friends.  Death comes to us all. 

Cherish the living while they live because this is the making of priceless memories. 

Treasure the dying for no greater grace can be found than walking the final steps of a life journey with someone.

 Honor the dead for we follow not long after.

© A Sacred Longing 2009-2012

Life

It passes by too quickly.  The 1,440 minutes that make up my day seem to whirl by virtually unnoticed. 

Death

It too comes quickly.  No matter the number of minutes or years between the first breath and the last, it always seems too soon.


This day would have been my mother's 88th birthday but instead of celebrating in life we are celebrating in our hearts.  A good reminder that each minute is as precious as the one before and we are not promised the one to come. 

Death does this...gives you pause.  It creates a selah in the midst of life.  It would do me well not to pass on by without a notice. 

It seems fitting that I enter in this Lenten season with fresh awareness of life and of death.  I pray that I have the eyes to see; the ears to hear;  the mouth to speak and the heart to love the grace and glory of my Saviour. 


I came across this prayer last year and it seems too good not to share it with you.

A Lenten prayer for families (author unknown)

Fast from juding others; feast on Christ in them.

Fast from wanting more; feast on being thankful.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on enjoyment.

Fast from negatives; feast on positives.

Fast from stress; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from fear; feast on truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from gossip; feast on silence.

Fast from fighting; feast on peace.  Amen.

© A Sacred Longing 2009-2012

An Eternal Release

Outside the window, the snow falls gently and the wind is howling cold.  Inside this room, we sit in vigil watching for the final breath.  Not wanting it to come yet at the same time begging it to hurry.

I am learning that life gives us many choices but death gives us very few.  We can't pick the day, the hour, or the way.  It comes when it is time - not a moment before or a minute after. 

Rarely do we seek its presence.  Still and yet, when its eerie silence echoes near we seem to grasp the patience we otherwise would seldom hold. 

So today we wait in expectation - seeking to be witness to the most precious of moments - a "thin place" where the heaven and earth join together.  Where a life ends here and a spirit finds eternal release. 

Dearest of friends, I wrote this 9 days ago - an eternity of emotions - and yet only 9 days.  On February 13, 2012 my mother passed from this world into the wholeness and grace that is found in the arms of our Savior.  No matter how old I am ... I will always be her baby. 

I love you now and forever, Mom. 

© A Sacred Longing 2009-2012

Merry Christmas

"Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying
in the manger. Seeing was believing.
Luke 2:15-17a The Message

This the morning I have begged to find these last four weeks.

This is the moment when the waiting graces of Advent give birth to the Breath of Heaven.

In the darkness of this waiting world, His star shines brightly.

Trusting to believe and follow this most precious Light.

Seeing is believing.

Seeking to see Him this Christmas Day!