Living in the moment

I cannot remember a series of weeks more difficult, challenging or intense then these last 3.  Seems like everything from life to death has happened around me.  I can not remember a time in my life where I have been forced to deal with more emotions, thoughts or fears.  I could easily share the details of a very challenging few weeks but I would rather share some perspective instead.

One of the perspectives that has changed a lot for me is the love of my wife.  As much as I love and appreciate her, I can not fathom how anyone could live a live of heartfelt devotion to others the way she does.  What an amazing, Christ-like example she is.  As much as I may try, I will never be able to match her kindness and selfless giving.  She is such a blessing to this family.  Words just can not express how I feel about her.

Also, I have a greater appreciation for friends.  I am blessed with a few really close ones and I have learned that I have more people in my life who care for me then I thought I did. It means more then they know.

The crazy thing is, when I look back at it, I can see God filling every heartache with some kind of joy, everything impossible with purpose.  His ways are truly higher then ours.

So I realize more then ever that the journey of life is sometimes tainted with misery and loss.  That life itself it meant to be examined, refined and enjoyed like a fine wine.  I have learned not to put off living to next week, next month or next year.  The only time we ever live in is this moment.

Make every moment count!

~ dave

Life and Death

For whatever reason recently, life and death has come up many times.  Even last night at bible study we had a conversation with some amazing, strong ladies who are military wive's.  They have recently suffered the lose of many close friends due to the SEAL team tragedy.  While having coffee the other day I heard that a mutual friend had been dealing with cancer and was not doing well.  I was told that another friend who is losing his battle with cancer is in the hospital planning his own funeral.  All this while a life long friend has been dealing with her mother's cancer battle which had recently turned for the worse.

Then I was surprisingly emotional when I was praying for Stacey's surgery.  Even though her surgery was routine, I could not help but think about where I would be without her.  That same day my 80+ year old step Grandma fell and broke her pelvis.  She is not doing well with the recovery.  So you can understand why every time I pray lately my heart feels so very heavy.

I went to bed knowing that one friend had passed away yesterday, I woke up this morning to find out that another friend had passed last night.  This one is particularly tough for me because I lost my own mom to cancer many years ago.  Praying for my life long friend and her family while she watches her own mother lose her battle to cancel has honesty taken me back to a very dark time.  I feel pain like I have not felt in a long time.

Here are a few of the things that I realize more then ever this week ..........

We are only here for a little while > After all these years I still miss my Mom terribly > Cancer is a horrible, horrible thing > Our Military and their families are real heros > No matter what, I would be lost without my wife > death never gets any easier to deal with > Friends are meant to be cherished > I am better for having quality people in my life

I never understood God more then when I lost my own mother.  More importantly, I now have tons of motivation to keep on the right path so that I can make it home.  I was a complete mess when my mom died.  I was hardly following Jesus at all.  I remember looking into her casket promising her that I would figure this thing out so that one day we could be together again in paradise.  We have that promise, Jesus is always the answer.

Nancy Hanvey, Linda Criswell and David Bishop, look down and smile over us today.  We love you!