i found out today that one of my friends back in kansas died.
his name is bart. i met him when i was overseeing communication and media at westside family church. he wanted to serve on the creative team. he had a great portfolio, and a great spirit.
bart and i fell out of touch when i moved to texas. however, over the summer, he emailed me and shared what had been going on in his life.
we emailed a couple of more times, and life just got busy.
that’s always my excuse, anyway.
a few minutes ago, crystal emailed me and let me know he had passed away. i couldn’t believe it. i had never responded to his last email.
life just got busy…
today, i was hit in the face with a harsh reality. one we all know, one we all hear, all the time.
life is short.
i now realize, with a terrible feeling in my gut, that i let life get busy.
too busy for so many things that matter. really matter.
i have wasted so much time.
i must stop.
please pray for bart’s family. leesa is his wife. they have a son, grant.
Comments
17 responses to “the importance of the present”
anne, i am so ,so sorry…
yeah, i really don’t have great words for you…
come, Lord Jesus, and give rest for weary souls…
praying…
God, please surround Leesa and Grant with your love, mercy, and comfort, as well as all loved ones who feel empty right now.
:(
Anne,
My prayers go out to Bart’s family and friends. I also want to lift up a special prayer for all of us who get so caught up in the busy-ness of life that we fail to connect to the people whom God has placed in our lives.
Peace,
Dean
Anne,
My heart hurts for you all during this time. How I understand the feeling of wasting time and realizing too late that it is gone! Although I don’t know exactly what you are experiencing, I have been in a similar situation several times in the short 25 years of life I have had.
The words of Jim Elliot have a way of reminding me about the importance of now, this moment, this breath I have….
“Wherever you are be all there, live to the hilt every opportunity you believe to be the will of God”
May we be reminded that we are to LIVE to the hilt every moment.
Lory
I’m praying.
thanks for sharing this!
I’m going to call someone now.
Thanks for being open enough to share this. It’s a powerful reminder of something I struggle with more often than I care to admit.
I’ll be praying for Bart’s family.
praying…
and thanks for the reminder. we all need it…
I’m sorry, Anne.
I’ve moved away from home and I don’t contact my friends or family as much as I should because life has gotten too busy…
this is a stark reminder that life can’t get too busy.
Anne,
When our Lord issued the invitation to “come unto Me,” He didn’t beckon to the strong, perfect people. He specifically addressed the “heavy laden,” those in need of rest, those who carry a great burden…another example of a perfect God choosing to love an imperfect people. I fail a lot. The only One that really matters already knows that I fail. He uses habitually needy people to build His Kingdom. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28 … I don’t fully understand, but I am thankful to be in that crowd! Our deepest sympathy goes out to this beloved family. A phone call…a note…a contact….thank you for sharing your “heavy laden.” You are oh so right…..life is short.
I know that hollow gut feeling of realizing that something is irretrievably too late. At those times I have been so grateful for Eternity and for the fact that it is not all my responsibility. Peace to you and to your friend’s family.
ugh
we’ve done the same
Hugs to you, Anne. I have been hit with that reality several times this year and it stings. Of course, I will pray.
He has a beautiful testimony on Crystal’s page. He’s definately home with Jesus. I’m praying for his family and friends.
busyness~ we all have been guilty. But don’t beat yourself up Anne. He knew you and you mattered to him, or he wouldn’t have bothered to email you.
Prayers all around
I’m so sorry!!!
It’s so strange to be in the place now where OUR friends are dying. I remember when it was only my parents or grandparents friends that passed.
My prayers are with his family!
I am so sorry about your friend. Our son was killed at age 19 in a car accident two years ago. I have regrets to fill a large volume….I have good memories, too. Still, I have changed. We have 3 more sons; the youngest is 12. I want them to know that they are a priority. I try not to miss anything they are involved in: games, band concerts, etc..
I did pray for your friend’s family. Please stop by my blog sometime.