My friend Rachel sent me this quote she found after we had a great conversation about ~ our role as women, focusing on what matters, keeping our eyes fixed on eternity and not on the trivial things of life, and using our time with one another to be encouraging and purposeful in pushing each other towards Christ.
I thought it was worthy of sharing!
"To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling.
The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times." - Spencer w. Kimball
2.24.2009
2.16.2009
honoring one another ~ when it counts
As always happens when death surrounds you ~ whether someone you dearly loved or a stranger's story that touches your heart ~ it is inevitable that you think about this simple and real fact of life.
The Lord created us in the depths of the earth and our days were written before there was yet one. Isn't that an amazing promise in the life of a believer? Your life will not end one moment before the Lord purposefully designed when the world was still dark. Our lives are truly in His hands!
But the other part of this reality is that WE do not know the day ... we do not know if we will be blessed with 80 years or 80 days. Will our children grow to be adults and create a life of their own? Will we grow old with our siblings as we reminisce on childhood and establish new traditions as the patriarchs of the family? Will "death do us part" come more quickly than we would have desired?
We don't know. We can't know.
And yet, we act like we have all the time in the world with these people, don't we?
I sit at funerals and hear these wonderful, inspiring, beautiful tributes about the person who has died. They are praised and honored and even immortalized for their character, the joy they brought to others, the way they touched so many lives
and I find myself wondering ~
Did this person KNOW how beloved they were when it mattered?
Once we die we do not care what people think about us or how much we are cherished -we are HOME - basking in the glow of the Lord and His splendor - nothing else matters.
But here, on earth it DOES matter. People need to hear "I love you". People need to be hugged. People need to know WHY we appreciate them. Why we pursue them. They need to be told "thank you" for the little things and especially the sacrificial things they do for us. They need to feel needed. They need to be celebrated!
So, my question is, do you tell your people? Do you send hand-written notes that they can cherish forever expressing your love and appreciation and respect for the role they play in your life? Are you investing in the lives of others so that when you are gone there is hole that needs to be filled? Are you a place of safety for a hurting friend? Are you a source of encouragement for those who are struggling?
Do you make a purposeful effort to make those you care about feel cherished and loved?
D and I once read the book "Tuesday's with Morrie" and my favorite part of the story was when he had a "living funeral". He knew he was dying and he wanted to celebrate his life with his friends. They read his favorite poems, sang his favorite hymns and each person shared why they loved him and he was able to share his thoughts with them. What a precious gift for those in attendance. When he finally did die they each had the peace and beauty of knowing they had shared their hearts with this precious man and had a wonderful last memory of him.
Another man whom I hope to emulate is Roger. He had cancer, went into remission and then the cancer returned and he was given two weeks to live. He called everyone he knew and invited them to a party! When they all gathered together he said, "I invited you here because each of you has made a difference in my life and I wanted you to be with me as I celebrated my HOMECOMING. I am on my way home to see the Lord - let's celebrate!"
Can you imagine?
How precious each of us are ... and how desperately our hearts need to hear that it is true.
Lord, may I never lose an opportunity to remind someone why they matter. May I be continually aware of the need of a smile, a hug or a kind word in the hearts of those around me. Make me intensely sensitive to the hearts of others so I may be a source of encouragement, support, and inspiration. And more than anything, Lord, create in me a passion for YOU that shines brighter than anything else so they may see You instead of me and be drawn to arms that are forever outstretched and waiting for them. Use me, Lord. Every day. Use me for Your glory. Your daughter, Michelle
The Lord created us in the depths of the earth and our days were written before there was yet one. Isn't that an amazing promise in the life of a believer? Your life will not end one moment before the Lord purposefully designed when the world was still dark. Our lives are truly in His hands!
But the other part of this reality is that WE do not know the day ... we do not know if we will be blessed with 80 years or 80 days. Will our children grow to be adults and create a life of their own? Will we grow old with our siblings as we reminisce on childhood and establish new traditions as the patriarchs of the family? Will "death do us part" come more quickly than we would have desired?
We don't know. We can't know.
And yet, we act like we have all the time in the world with these people, don't we?
I sit at funerals and hear these wonderful, inspiring, beautiful tributes about the person who has died. They are praised and honored and even immortalized for their character, the joy they brought to others, the way they touched so many lives
and I find myself wondering ~
Did this person KNOW how beloved they were when it mattered?
Once we die we do not care what people think about us or how much we are cherished -we are HOME - basking in the glow of the Lord and His splendor - nothing else matters.
But here, on earth it DOES matter. People need to hear "I love you". People need to be hugged. People need to know WHY we appreciate them. Why we pursue them. They need to be told "thank you" for the little things and especially the sacrificial things they do for us. They need to feel needed. They need to be celebrated!
So, my question is, do you tell your people? Do you send hand-written notes that they can cherish forever expressing your love and appreciation and respect for the role they play in your life? Are you investing in the lives of others so that when you are gone there is hole that needs to be filled? Are you a place of safety for a hurting friend? Are you a source of encouragement for those who are struggling?
Do you make a purposeful effort to make those you care about feel cherished and loved?
D and I once read the book "Tuesday's with Morrie" and my favorite part of the story was when he had a "living funeral". He knew he was dying and he wanted to celebrate his life with his friends. They read his favorite poems, sang his favorite hymns and each person shared why they loved him and he was able to share his thoughts with them. What a precious gift for those in attendance. When he finally did die they each had the peace and beauty of knowing they had shared their hearts with this precious man and had a wonderful last memory of him.
Another man whom I hope to emulate is Roger. He had cancer, went into remission and then the cancer returned and he was given two weeks to live. He called everyone he knew and invited them to a party! When they all gathered together he said, "I invited you here because each of you has made a difference in my life and I wanted you to be with me as I celebrated my HOMECOMING. I am on my way home to see the Lord - let's celebrate!"
Can you imagine?
How precious each of us are ... and how desperately our hearts need to hear that it is true.
Lord, may I never lose an opportunity to remind someone why they matter. May I be continually aware of the need of a smile, a hug or a kind word in the hearts of those around me. Make me intensely sensitive to the hearts of others so I may be a source of encouragement, support, and inspiration. And more than anything, Lord, create in me a passion for YOU that shines brighter than anything else so they may see You instead of me and be drawn to arms that are forever outstretched and waiting for them. Use me, Lord. Every day. Use me for Your glory. Your daughter, Michelle
2.06.2009
ENOUGH!
Do you ever just feel like screaming "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!" at the top of your lungs?
Regardless of the "what"... a time when you feel like you are on a treadmill and you are never ever going to get off. The scenery does not change. You are alone. You are tired. And you can barely remember life before you got on the stupid thing?
That is how I feel today.
We have spent the last 2 months battling illnesses - and our family is never sick - maybe once a year we go through the cold season and everyone is down for a day or two - but other than that we are a healthy family.
We have gone through colds, the flu, strep throat, allergy to penicillin, head injury ... all in the last 64 days. AAHHH!
I JUST rejoiced with someone yesterday that the Eastman's are finally healthy! And then Micah vomited this afternoon. SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?!?!
I stood there staring at Dennis, and then I cursed. Yes, I admit it. I, Michelle Renee Eastman cursed. With pleasure, I might add. I am so so tired of sickness and laundry and Lysol and ...
Then I was convicted.
A few days ago our dear friends watched their son's 16-year-old friend die unexpectedly in a hospital bed.
Parents down south found their daughter trapped in a washing machine, dead, after she had climbed in and her little brother closed the door and started the cycle.
A tiny baby girl has been diagnosed with a likely incurable disease that will take her from her parents much sooner than they would ever desire.
WHO AM I to whine and complain because my kids are sick with simple and curable ailments? Who am I to complain about endless laundry when a mother is burying her son on Monday?
Get a grip, Michelle ... people are suffering all around you and they are without hope. Instead of looking at your own small trials, PRAY for them. Get your focus where it belongs -on the great Healer who created each of these people and desires each of them to rest safely in His arms. Seek HIS perspective and lose your own.
Lord, forgive me for my selfishness and turn my thoughts back on others and up towards You. I am blessed beyond measure and just today we read Psalm 139 which is the epitome of your goodness and graciousness in being a God who created us in perfection, love and Your image. May I constantly keep that Psalm before me as I walk through small trials and be reminded that "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me."
Regardless of the "what"... a time when you feel like you are on a treadmill and you are never ever going to get off. The scenery does not change. You are alone. You are tired. And you can barely remember life before you got on the stupid thing?
That is how I feel today.
We have spent the last 2 months battling illnesses - and our family is never sick - maybe once a year we go through the cold season and everyone is down for a day or two - but other than that we are a healthy family.
We have gone through colds, the flu, strep throat, allergy to penicillin, head injury ... all in the last 64 days. AAHHH!
I JUST rejoiced with someone yesterday that the Eastman's are finally healthy! And then Micah vomited this afternoon. SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?!?!
I stood there staring at Dennis, and then I cursed. Yes, I admit it. I, Michelle Renee Eastman cursed. With pleasure, I might add. I am so so tired of sickness and laundry and Lysol and ...
Then I was convicted.
A few days ago our dear friends watched their son's 16-year-old friend die unexpectedly in a hospital bed.
Parents down south found their daughter trapped in a washing machine, dead, after she had climbed in and her little brother closed the door and started the cycle.
A tiny baby girl has been diagnosed with a likely incurable disease that will take her from her parents much sooner than they would ever desire.
WHO AM I to whine and complain because my kids are sick with simple and curable ailments? Who am I to complain about endless laundry when a mother is burying her son on Monday?
Get a grip, Michelle ... people are suffering all around you and they are without hope. Instead of looking at your own small trials, PRAY for them. Get your focus where it belongs -on the great Healer who created each of these people and desires each of them to rest safely in His arms. Seek HIS perspective and lose your own.
Lord, forgive me for my selfishness and turn my thoughts back on others and up towards You. I am blessed beyond measure and just today we read Psalm 139 which is the epitome of your goodness and graciousness in being a God who created us in perfection, love and Your image. May I constantly keep that Psalm before me as I walk through small trials and be reminded that "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me."
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