Last night at church as soon as our pastor got on stage to start preaching... he didn't even say a word and he was crying. He started out by talking about the shootings that have taken place over the past year across our nation... the Virginia Tech shooting, the high school shooting that took place in Ohio (I think is where it was??), the shooting in the churches in Colorado, just last week there were 3 different shootings at a work place in 3 different states "shot by an obsessed angry man". After naming that last one... he paused again as his eyes filled with tears... then he said "Yesterday... (pause w/ a cry)"... at this moment... my heart just sank. He then said "we lost one of our very own members... Dr. Julie Abbot... shot by an obsessed angry man" while in her work parking lot. He went on to talk about how all of these people lost there lives suddenly. Now, some of you are wondering if I know Dr. Julie Abbot... the answer is no. However, after what happened in our family two weeks ago and the message Robert (our pastor) preached was so touching it inspired my "post" for today.
He talked about living life with no regrets, no "wish I would've...", or "I should've...". He preached the gospel so that any one that was there would know that we are not guaranteed another day... and that Jesus Christ is the only way to get to heaven. One of the scriptures he read was 2 Corinthians 5:6-10. But, the main focus of the sermon was on what you do with your life on earth.
One of the points in the sermon was in regards to how you treat your family. He said to remember to tell your spouse you love them everyday, tell your children you love them, tell your family you love them. He said to settle any "hard feelings" or anything that you're holding on to because you aren't guaranteed that you'll see them again to settle it.
Personally, I think I take for granted my husband, my parents, my brothers and sisters-in-laws, my in-laws, my nieces and nephews, and my friends. So... this message kept running through my head last night as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep. I kept thinking of Dr. Julie Abbot who was 47 years old and left behind a husband. I thought of my cousins William and Sloan, my uncle Roger, my old roommate's brother (and friend of mine) Brandon Kirby... these are all people that passed away suddenly and left behind their family. I just know that I want to be at a place in life that if the Lord decides to take me or my family home... that I have lived with no regrets! I want my family and friends to know that I love them.
So... in closing... I just want to encourage you to not take anything or anyone for granted and know that each day on earth with them is a blessing! I am blessed to have Steve as my husband and a family (immediate, extended, and in-laws) like I have. I LOVE YOU all!!!
About Me
- LaShay & Steve
- San Antonio, TX
- I am HAPPILY married to the most amazing, Godly, loving, handsome, and funny man... Steve! We've been married since 2003. Steve and I are active in our church, Community Bible Church, in San Antonio! In our down time, we love to spend time with each other. We also love spending time with our families and our friends. We are both HUGE Dallas Cowboys fans! We have no children yet... but hopefully that will change soon! We do have two dogs that are our "babies". They are both golden-doodles. The Black one is named Briley and the golden one is Landry.
2 comments:
That's awesome, sweetie. And, so in line with my blog last week. We take so much for granted. I get my feelings hurt because no one comes to see us, but then I remember that we don't go see my parents either. When we go it is to see our kids because our kids are so busy they can't come home. In fact, I've spent the past week in a pity party over it...for which I am ashamed.
Before I read your blog, Dad was on the phone with Nanny and I had just called Mom & Dad to apologize to them that we haven't taken the time to come visit them.
When I talked to her she began to cry and told me she had just gotten a phone call from Mari Sue that Matt's dad had been found an hour ago face down in the pool. He is currently fighting for his life. So, once again, I am reminded of how fragile life is and I can't spend time in pity parties!
So, I know that probably all of you will see this. I'm sorry for my hurt feelings lately. We love you all very much!
This was very heartfelt...we love you, Shay! Thanks for the reminder...
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