The Cycle of Life

As I walked up to the front doors of the church a car pulled up. In the car were three of our dearest older women. The youngest was driving – 70 something. Bless their hearts. They are always there at all worship services and leading by their wonderful example. It made my day.

Rounding the corner of the hallway and making my way to the auditorium there were 4 little girls gathered together and talking. Kinley, Hallie, Lauren and Bonnie were chatting away. I believe the oldest of these girls is 4 years old. The youngest isn’t even 2 yet. I was informed that Kinley and Lauren both had the same shoes on and Hallie and Bonny were the same because they were both sparkly. They were the cutest little girls having a most important conversation. It made my day.

Waiting for class to start my mind wandered to the day before when I was at a Memorial Service for a friend of ours who had passed away. He was only 58 years old but had suffered poor health for the last 10 years.

During his Memorial Service someone read the following. 

The Dash 

by Linda Ellis 

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. 

He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of 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 they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them 

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters 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 your eulogy is being read, with your life’s 

actions to rehash…would you be proud of the things 

they say about how you spent YOUR dash? 

I had heard this poem before, and it always makes me think about my life and what they will say about my dash at my funeral.

The Bible instructs us how to live our lives. 

Ephesians 5 

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

So take care of your “dash”. Live like God wants you too. 

May God Bless