the importance of the present
December 13th, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
i found out today that one of my friends back in kansas died.
his name is bart. i met him when i was overseeing communication and media at westside family church. he wanted to serve on the creative team. he had a great portfolio, and a great spirit.
bart and i fell out of touch when i moved to texas. however, over the summer, he emailed me and shared what had been going on in his life.
we emailed a couple of more times, and life just got busy.
that’s always my excuse, anyway.
a few minutes ago, crystal emailed me and let me know he had passed away. i couldn’t believe it. i had never responded to his last email.
life just got busy…
today, i was hit in the face with a harsh reality. one we all know, one we all hear, all the time.
life is short.
i now realize, with a terrible feeling in my gut, that i let life get busy.
too busy for so many things that matter. really matter.
i have wasted so much time.
i must stop.
please pray for bart’s family. leesa is his wife. they have a son, grant.
Kansas City · Prayer
John Ireland said,
December 13, 2007 at 4:21 pm
anne, i am so ,so sorry…
yeah, i really don’t have great words for you…
come, Lord Jesus, and give rest for weary souls…
praying…
cool dad said,
December 13, 2007 at 4:38 pm
God, please surround Leesa and Grant with your love, mercy, and comfort, as well as all loved ones who feel empty right now.
Jordan Like the River said,
December 13, 2007 at 5:17 pm
:(
Dean Libby said,
December 13, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Anne,
My prayers go out to Bart’s family and friends. I also want to lift up a special prayer for all of us who get so caught up in the busy-ness of life that we fail to connect to the people whom God has placed in our lives.
Peace,
Dean
Lory said,
December 13, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Anne,
My heart hurts for you all during this time. How I understand the feeling of wasting time and realizing too late that it is gone! Although I don’t know exactly what you are experiencing, I have been in a similar situation several times in the short 25 years of life I have had.
The words of Jim Elliot have a way of reminding me about the importance of now, this moment, this breath I have….
“Wherever you are be all there, live to the hilt every opportunity you believe to be the will of God”
May we be reminded that we are to LIVE to the hilt every moment.
Lory
Cindy Beall said,
December 13, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I’m praying.
aaron said,
December 13, 2007 at 11:11 pm
thanks for sharing this!
I’m going to call someone now.
Jim Henry said,
December 14, 2007 at 12:09 am
Thanks for being open enough to share this. It’s a powerful reminder of something I struggle with more often than I care to admit.
I’ll be praying for Bart’s family.
Rindy said,
December 14, 2007 at 1:08 am
praying…
and thanks for the reminder. we all need it…
Faith said,
December 14, 2007 at 3:51 am
I’m sorry, Anne.
I’ve moved away from home and I don’t contact my friends or family as much as I should because life has gotten too busy…
this is a stark reminder that life can’t get too busy.
Carol said,
December 14, 2007 at 7:11 am
Anne,
When our Lord issued the invitation to “come unto Me,” He didn’t beckon to the strong, perfect people. He specifically addressed the “heavy laden,” those in need of rest, those who carry a great burden…another example of a perfect God choosing to love an imperfect people. I fail a lot. The only One that really matters already knows that I fail. He uses habitually needy people to build His Kingdom. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28 … I don’t fully understand, but I am thankful to be in that crowd! Our deepest sympathy goes out to this beloved family. A phone call…a note…a contact….thank you for sharing your “heavy laden.” You are oh so right…..life is short.
saralee said,
December 14, 2007 at 10:03 am
I know that hollow gut feeling of realizing that something is irretrievably too late. At those times I have been so grateful for Eternity and for the fact that it is not all my responsibility. Peace to you and to your friend’s family.
Joni said,
December 14, 2007 at 10:25 am
ugh
we’ve done the same
Melinda said,
December 14, 2007 at 11:54 am
Hugs to you, Anne. I have been hit with that reality several times this year and it stings. Of course, I will pray.
Heidi said,
December 14, 2007 at 3:08 pm
He has a beautiful testimony on Crystal’s page. He’s definately home with Jesus. I’m praying for his family and friends.
busyness~ we all have been guilty. But don’t beat yourself up Anne. He knew you and you mattered to him, or he wouldn’t have bothered to email you.
Prayers all around
Jenni said,
December 14, 2007 at 6:35 pm
I’m so sorry!!!
It’s so strange to be in the place now where OUR friends are dying. I remember when it was only my parents or grandparents friends that passed.
My prayers are with his family!
Myra Johnson said,
December 19, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I am so sorry about your friend. Our son was killed at age 19 in a car accident two years ago. I have regrets to fill a large volume….I have good memories, too. Still, I have changed. We have 3 more sons; the youngest is 12. I want them to know that they are a priority. I try not to miss anything they are involved in: games, band concerts, etc..
I did pray for your friend’s family. Please stop by my blog sometime.