Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Three weeks ago the husband of a dear friend had a stroke.  They were on their way to our house and we had a house full of people.  The hospital is between their house and ours.  He told his wife we was feeling funny, that he was either having a heart attack or a stroke,  and they went there instead of coming here.  

When they didn't show up, I didn't think much of it... things happen, kids need naps, etc.  There was another family who hadn't shown up yet, but we all decided to eat anyway.  The other family showed up soon after.  My friend called 2 or so hours later to say her husband had had a stroke.  What!?  He's only 35!  She briefly told the story and I tried to process it.  I asked if her immediate needs were taken care of (kids not with her at the hospital, that kind of thing).  When I got off the phone, I shared the news with all of our guests (it was a get together of home schoolers from our church).  We stopped and prayed for her husband and her right then.

After everyone left and I got my littlest one in bed I told my husband I was going to go to the hospital.  I called her up and sort of asked her and sort of told her that I was coming.  The situation did not look good.  We talked together, cried together and prayed together.  At one point she said to me, "I don't know what my week is going to look like."  And I said to her, "no one does."

And that is my point... none of us knows what our week is going to look like.  We can make all the plans we want, but it is the Lord who directs our steps.  Life is too short to argue over stupid things.  Life is too short to get angry over minor inconveniences.  Life is too short to not ask for forgiveness or to not grant forgiveness.  Yes, there are big issues in life.  Life is too short not to talk them out.... even if it is only with God.  Sometimes friends don't talk over something no one can remember.  Sometimes spouses grow apart because of the busyness of life.  Sometimes we let our kids do their own thing because we're tired and it's easier.  Life is too short not to take opportunities when they arise.  Your kids want you to read to them or play a game with them, but you are on the computer.  Life is short... your children will remember that you chose to spend time with them.  Your spouse wants some attention, but you're tired.  Will that extra half hour or hour of sleep make a difference in the morning... most days, probably not.  You have wanted to do something silly for a long time and have never done it (dye your hair purple, get your belly button pierced, get a tattoo, etc)... life is short.  If it's not illegal or immoral and you won't go into debt to do it, do it (especially if it's temporary, like purple hair).   A friend is down and needs help... be there.  Even a phone call or email helps.  You will not ever regret the time you spent being there for others.  You will not regret the time you spent making the most of every opportunity.

That first night and next day in the hospital, things did not look good for my friend's husband.  I spent some time with her that night and went back the next day.  But she called me the second morning to say he had greatly improved and by that evening he was home.  I visited them at home that night and God's grace was so apparent in their lives.  If you didn't know he had had a stroke, you wouldn't have known.    We praise God for that.  Two days before I wasn't sure if my friend would be a young widow.  They have the opportunity now, after being faced with a serious situation, to reevaluate things in life.  I know they have had some serious (and probably not so easy) discussions since then.  If you need to have some of those discussions in your life, please do it and make the most of every opportunity.