TIME // Time is the most finite resource we have on this earth. My dad, Gerry Wass, died when he was only sixty years old, just 6 days shy of his sixty-first birthday. His birthday was the day of his funeral. I recently turned 40 and couldn’t help by think, “What would my dad have done differently if he knew he only had 20 years left; that 2/3 of this life had already been spent?”
I don’t know the answer to that lonely question. I’m forever left just to speculate.
Here’s what I would speculate:
- He would’ve quit his job and done something that he would’ve actually enjoyed for work.
- In fact, he would’ve retired early, instead of working almost up until the day he died.
- He wouldn’t have been so cheap. He proved that by whipping out his checkbook to buy a boat just a few years before he died. That was not very Gerry at all!
- He wouldn’t have gotten so anxious about stuff that never happened or didn’t matter.
- He would’ve spent every waking moment with the people he really cared about.
- He would’ve written a letter to my sons, that he would never meet on this side of Heaven.
YOUR LIFE // The (morbid) reality is that any of us could get hit by a car tomorrow, have a heart attack, die from surgery complications, or get news from the Dr. that we have cancer, like my dad. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
What’s amazing with this moment right now is that you are still alive. That is such a gift! Who knows how much longer you’ll be here? If you knew that you only had 5, 10, or 20 years left on this earth. What would you do different today? What’s keeping you from doing it?
GETTING STARTED // Have you taken time to think about what you want to do with your life? It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and then a blink turns into 5 years gone by. Sit down and take some time to map out what you would like your next 5 years to look like. Make some goals. Be intentional with those people in your life that you want to spend time with. Most of all, remember to spend your hours and days wisely. You will never get them back and you aren’t guaranteed any more.
TO MY BOYS // “I’m so proud of you. I’m thankful every day that I get to be your dad! You are the very best parts of me. You are dearly loved by your mom and me. Now go out there and do your best.” – Dad
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