Retrospective of Life

It is so funny how we take life for granted. We think we have forever and then in a moment it is gone. God's holy word gives us much insight to how short and precious life really is. We do so many things that chance our life. We never really grasp the fullness of the fleeting heartbeat that drums loud one minute and echoes away the next. James writes, " yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14) It is amazing that we don't recognize that we have no idea when our time is up, that we are just a hot breath on a cold day.


This year has given me more to think about when it comes to this subject. My father-in-law passed away in January. My wife who was amazingly strong was able to see God's work and purpose. Then just as things started to settle after arriving back from the funeral it got bad. A family of four, a husband, wife and two small boys; two more fathers; a high school student; a close friend's cousin; and the devastating loss of my cousin's seven year old little girl Marissa. There are so many things that come to mind. And I know that these deaths are but a drop in the bucket compared to those who died around the world today. However, it is the ones that hit close to home that open our eyes.

I pray that we see the necessity of surrendering our lives to Christ. See it's not a matter if we die, it is when we die. I know that most people don't want to face the reality of losing someone, especially a child but we do and I pray that those things draw us closer to God. I write this today to help us in times such as these that we should celebrate life and not just remember it. Memorials are fine but celebrations bring joy. I want to post this not to remember Marissa Woods but to celebrate a life that will be missed but that life now rejoices with our Father in Heaven and sits with Jesus as the heavenly host worships God!

Marissa Woods