On Tuesday night my daughter Julia and I stopped by our friends’ house. As we pulled into the driveway it was hard to find a place to park because there were so many cars. Julia said, “It feels like we are crashing a party.”
As we walked into the house filled with family and friends it did seem a little bit like a party.
We made our way to the back of the house where many were gathered around my best friend’s mother Barbara, a woman who has been a part of my life since I was about 16 years old.
Smiles, hugs, stories, laughter, and words of love were shared. It was wonderful to see a family so devoted to their mother and grandmother.
Yet, there were tears as well, and they were a reminder that we weren’t really at a party.
Later, when Julia and I stepped out of the house I knew we wouldn’t see Barbara again this side of Heaven. And, just a few short hours later, she passed away.
A Loaded Question
Last fall our church sign had this message on it.
How will you measure your life?
I have thought about this question many times during the past year.
I thought about it this past spring when we suddenly lost a man from our church, who was only in his early 50’s, to a freak accident. On Sunday, we had talked with him, and he had tickled and teased my kids. On Tuesday, he was gone in an instant.
I thought about it again this summer when a sweet woman from our former church lost her long battle with cancer during which she had continued to praise God and keep a positive attitude.
But, it wasn’t until Tuesday night that I finally figured out the answer to that question.
Watching a family gathered around their dying mother and grandmother as they honored her request not to be left alone made it clear to me.
The True Measure
Our lives are measured in different ways by different people. However, I believe it all comes down to love.
Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The living out of these two commandments is the true measure of our lives.
When our time on earth is over, the love we gave to others, and our acceptance and sharing of God’s love that was poured out through His Son Jesus, are what will have mattered the most.
Living a Life of Love
On Tuesday afternoon I had visited with Barbara, which is what prompted me to go back later that night with Julia.
When I was ready to leave I told Barbara I loved her and she said the same. She also told me to tell my whole family that she loved them, too.
This woman, who was mere hours from meeting her Maker, was still filled with love.
That is what I will remember most about her. She lived a life of love for family, friends, and even strangers, as evidenced by the fact that she shared the message of salvation with a paramedic just a few days before.
In this world, that can be a cold, dark place full of hate and anger, may we all strive to live a life of love.
How will you measure your life?
