Monday, July 23, 2012

When opportunity escapes

I learned on Saturday afternoon that my friend's father who has been ill with cancer had passed. Pain and suffering are over was my first thought, but only for the deceased. Those who live on learn to live with the emptiness, with the gap, if they are lucky. How miserable life can be when regret clouds our days and thoughts of could've and should've enter in moments more frequently than can be managed.


My weekly blog mailing from Robert Sylvester is a reminder for keeping focused on the now and on the opportunities we have available. As the widower in his post learns, he cannot go back in time, and cannot regenerate the times his wife pined for his companionship during her own illness. He did not visit because he didn't have time or because he didn't care deeply for his wife. There was no strife mentioned, and her love and dedication was apparent. Where time does not drive our choices, priorities do. What priorities have we all placed before family? What grudges have we borne? In time, will those decisions to spend time with our hobbies, interests and other work remain what's most important.



For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:32-34 (NASB)

For these reasons I pray that my priorities will be aligned with each day and that I will carry no regret.