“A death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come.” - Daily Bible Reflections February 26,2014

THE LONG AND SHORT

OF IT

 

 

You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. – James 4:14

 

A wake has a way of making you reflect on your life. Especially if the person you’re visiting died young.

       The other day, I came from two wakes. One was for a 50-year-old businesswoman who had left behind a husband, their five-year-old son, and their barely one-year-old dream house. The other was for a 95-year-old grandma who had left behind three children, 14 grandkids and 16 great grandkids.

       Comparing the two women, it’s easy to think that my friend who died in her 50s had her life cut short. She could have had so many other experiences and accomplished many other dreams. I couldn’t help but think of the plans she had made with her husband that will remain unfulfilled. I also thought of the many years her son will grow up missing his mother. But knowing how my friend lived and died, I can say that she faithfully stewarded the years that the Lord had entrusted to her.

       In the end, it’s not how many years we lived but how we lived those years. Whether we live long or not, we want to leave behind a legacy of faithfulness for those who will come after us. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: “A death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come.” (Unknown)

 

Lord, teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

 

St. Porphyry of Gaza, pray for us.