If you had only 30 days to live what would you change?
I read that question the other day in a book review and time slowed.
I knew it was a God-moment.
Not that He was telling me that I only had 30 days to live.
But I believe He was opening my eyes to the unimportant in my life. How often I ask God to help me prioritize my days so I’m focused on what matters. This little question pulled the thousand things swirling around my head on my mental to-do list into a straight and narrow line.
It instantly reminded me of the essence of my life.
Because in my tiny life, Unimportant is loud and gets all my attention.
And Essence is a whisper and too often gets pushed aside.
*****
The first thing I thought of was time spent online.
Don’t get me wrong, you know I love my connections with my online friends. But if I’m not careful I can be online all the time. There’s so much opportunity…my phone, the computer, the iPad.
For instance… know sitting with The Husband on the couch and being on my computer the whole time. I’m not really in the moment with him, even if we’re watching a movie together, we aren’t “in” the movie. I’m multi-tasking. Half of me is off in cyber-land somewhere. He laughs at something in the movie and looks over to see my reaction:
“What? Why are you looking at me like that”? Because I’m not paying attention, I missed it.
If I knew my days were numbered (and after all, they are), would I give only a fraction of me to our time together?
Then I thought of my priority list. Every week that “to-do” list. How quickly the people I love shoot to the top when I look at the list through the “my days are numbered” filter.
Next…my pettiness. Those things that get on my very last nerve and trigger a knee-jerk reaction of either anger or sarcasm.
How completely unimportant those annoyances look through my filter.
How consumingly important the people behind those annoyances become.
I could go on and on because there are so many loud unimportant things in my life that instantly went silent.
*****
I asked The Husband this question and he got so annoyed, “It’s not possible to think past quitting my job and spending time with you and the kids. The question is frustrating”
So I asked him what he’d eliminate and what he’d add if he couldn’t change the big things like work and the bank account.
“Just let the question take you to your essence, let it shine a light on the time-thieves and the emotional-drains in your life…”
What about you, if the question doesn’t annoy you…what would you change if you had only 30 days to live, what would you change?
*****
~I pray you will have a weekend where your essence sings loud and gets all your attention~
Things which matter least should never be at the
mercy of things which matter most.
You & Von Gothe : )
Daddy, it took me 400 words and van gothe only a few… 🙂
You know – I’ve recently thought about this. I’m thinking I wouldn’t change a whole lot – in terms of running around to doing or being. But I would want to BE someone who was indeed ready to meet my Lord. My heart attitudes – are they in line w/ scripture? And really – this is what I should be looking at daily. God doesn’t ask anything of us that we – thru His grace – aren’t able to be/do. Recently I realize I need to work at having a meek and quiet spirit. Lord help me be pleasing in your sight.
Joyce, I absolutely love your perspective. I’m going to think on this…love it
This is deep, Robin. I’m staring out your window at the snow ornaments in the rain and thinking….the answer needs to shine in the novel I’m writing.
Oh J…the answer will shine in your book. I know it will. xo
I waiver back and forth. There is such a normalcy in the mundane sometimes that crave and I don’t try to interrupt those moments to prioritize. And yet the more normal I live, the more others around me do too, and I sometimes I think, wait, slow down and stay in this moment with me just a bit longer. Very provocative post!
Vicky, If I know you at all, I believe with all my heart that you are a woman who lives in her moments…you’re all in. I want to be that way too. love u
Thank you for the reminder about important things….I needed the reminder about being online while watching TV with my husband!!
Fran…do you do that sometimes too???? (Kinda makes me feel better 🙂 )
I would not change a thing. I would continue to allow love to prevail in my life.
Joan…such a wonderful place to be my friend~ xo
I left a comment then it disappeared:( I would fly to Fl. and see my son, haven’t seen him in a year. Just spend more and better time with my loved ones. Reconnect. This is very thought provoking. Thanks Robin. XO
Pinky….smooches and hugs
What a beautiful post. Hit a nerve because I have a friend I am upset with for recently hurting me, but it is one of those petty things. Thanks for your words!
snowmanlover… hugs to you Sweetie.
Hmmm, God was speaking this to me three months ago when I encountered the verse Psalm 90:12 three times in one day then as soon as I got in my car I hear the song “Blink” which says, “teach us to number our days.” I prayed and pondered for a couple of days because I knew God was speaking but honestly like everything else I just moved on and didn’t give it much thought. I had good intentions of looking in some commentaries, etc. but my daughter was coming home for the weekend and life just got in the way. I believe He really does want us to be more aware of the “unimportant” in our lives. It really is a conscious effort. Thanks for bringing it to my attention again. I would definitely live differently.
Gina…I love that song, it resonates with me. I also heard a sermon series by Andy Stanley on that very thing and it also pierced my heart.
sending you love my friend~and prayers for a wonderful holiday.xo
I think people would rise to the top of my list. Spending time with my family. Making sure my kids know that knowing God is the most important. Being bold with my neighbors, sharing with them my testimony and how Christ has made a difference in my life. Like you said, get off the computer, stop crafting and make a difference for eternity!
Thanks for sharing your heart!
Oh, Robin, I was so moved by this. I have been holding on to a hurt that I can’t seem to let go of…but now that I have read this, I realize how easily I would put it aside if I had only a brief time left. Thank you for this perspective. Secondly, though I was moved before I read the comments, to see the first comment from your dad just brought tears to my eyes. You are blessed!
Thank you for sharing. This book looks like a winner…
interesting comments