The Brevity of Life (In Honor Of My Grandma)

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (James 4:13-14)

Hi loves! I know you’ve probably been wondering where I’ve been hiding. My grandmother unexpectedly passed away, so the past couple of weeks have been a doozy for me.  She was very special to me-so the news of her death hit me hard.  Yet, moment by moment I am experiencing God’s peace and getting back into the swing of things.

While we know that tomorrow is not promised to any of us and death is inevitable for us all, it’s one of those things that most of us don’t think about often. However, when it hits close to home, it has a way of realigning our perspective on life.

Life – a gift from above
Yet a vapor that quickly vanishes.

 In honor of my grandma’s life I’ve decided to dedicate this post to her.

As I have been reflecting over the past few days, I am reminded of just how precious our time is here on earth.  Every moment we wake up is a gift, another opportunity to leave an impression on the hearts of those we come in contact with, not just to make us feel good, but for the glory of God.  Fortunately for me I had the opportunity to witness my grandmother in action. She lived a life that exhibited many characteristics (a few of which I’ll share) that inspired me and I hope do the same for you.

• Share joy with someone each day. My grandma was one of the funniest people in my life. Her vibrant spirit was infectious. Even when she wasn’t trying she had a way of just making me smile or laughing until I cried.  Proverbs 15:30 (GNT) tells us that “Smiling faces make you happy.” Just as she had a way of making my heart happy, I want to look for ways each day to do the same for others. Besides, smiles are free!
• Give from a heart that expects nothing in return. Although my grandmother didn’t have a lot monetarily, she never let that stop her from giving to others. And she not only gave, but expected nothing in return.  Whether it was a Christmas card, $20 bill for lunch on your birthday, or a ride to the grocery store, she found joy in giving sacrificially to her family. A true servant at heart, she served tirelessly to make sure everyone had what they needed. Not because she wanted applause, but I believe she knew that it truly is “more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
• Love unconditionally.  Even if she didn’t know you, once grandma met you she loved you.  It was pretty cute and the love was so genuine and pure. It’s something magical about grandmas! Though she is gone, the love she had will always be in my heart. I have to admit it’s easy for me to love others that I like and get along with, but as I mature and grow I recognize  I’m called to extend love that goes beyond my comfort zone. Rather as Christians we are called to show a love that reflects the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19).  A love that models Jesus’ words “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(John 13:35)

So as you prepare for this upcoming week, think about this: If this was your last day on earth what would your life say to others? Are you spreading joy and loving unconditionally?  Are you giving of your resources and time, expecting nothing in return? What would people have to say about you and the impact you made in their life? We’re all imperfect in many ways, but I pray that each day I have,  the Father helps me to focus on the things that truly matter.

Grateful For Another Day and Humbled By His Love,

Keisha

Me and Grandma 🙂