God made us in His image. He says so in the very first chapter of Genesis. In fact, He knew us even before our parents did. In Psalm 139, we read, “You [God] watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 13:15-16). Clearly, life begins at conception and continues until natural death. God gave us life and only God decides when our earthly journey is complete.
I mention this because Renée and I are in Florida visiting my dad and stepmom and her mom and dad. We are blessed because all of our parents – those living in the Sunshine State and my mom up in New Hampshire – are all in their eighties and are still very much alive. Not many people our age can say that about their parents. We consider ourselves greatly blessed. As my mom lives in New England, I do get to see her more often. We call, text, and email regularly. She also always watches our Sunday worship services and joins us online for Bible study on Wednesday evenings. We were able to bring her down to Connecticut to celebrate Easter with us a couple of weeks ago. It’s different with my dad and stepmom. They live in Florida and are not as tech savvy. They don’t text do Facebook so it’s mostly email and phone calls. I also don’t get to see them that often. This is the first time I have been able to visit them in three years.
According to the CDC, the average lifespan is 76.4 years. That means Renée’s and my parents are all above average! It also means that the end of their earthly journey could come at any time. That’s why I’m in Florida. I don’t mean to be morbid. It’s just a fact. As Jesus’ brother James wrote, “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:13-14). Truth is no one knows how much time any of us have – except for God. He recorded every day of our lives in His book before a single day had passed.
I don’t know if this is the last time I ever see any of my Florida parents this side of heaven. I am grateful to know they are all believers. So, they will be with Jesus the moment they leave earth, and I will get to see them again one day.
I share this to remind us all to treasure our loved ones every single day. Make sure they know you love them. Call, text, email, facetime or zoom. Perhaps go old school and write a letter or send a card. And when you can visit. Be it eight or eighty, none of us know how much time we have. So, don’t squander any of it with petty disagreements or bitterness. Life is a God-given gift, and it is too precious to waste time on anger or frustration.
Renée and I love all our parents. Our hearts will be broken when the time for their new journey begins but we will be comforted in the knowledge that like Job, they can all proclaim, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought” (Job 26:25-27)!
Thank you, LORD, for blessing me with such great parents and in-laws. And, thank you for welcoming them home when the day comes. I am blessed.
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