Make the most of this day

By Jeff Becraft

 

A little over 4 months ago, we lost my wife’s sister, Sharon, to cancer.  She was 63 years old.

And then a couple of weeks ago, we lost a good friend of mine, Robb, to cancer. He was a few years younger than me.

We knew that both of them had cancer.  And we knew it was serious. But we weren’t expecting how sudden it would be. For both of them, I kept thinking they would turn a corner… and that they would get better.

Then on January 21, early in the morning, my wife gets the phone call. And just like that, Sharon was gone.

I knew Robb’s last tests were not good and that his numbers were rising. But still, I wasn’t expecting the message from his wife that Monday evening. This is what Cindie said in her statement to all of us about her husband:

“Robb has gone home to be with the Lord. We can’t thank you enough for your calls, texts, prayers, videos and visits. Robb was grateful to his friends and to God to the end. When I think of Robb I think of the word Faithful. Faithful to God, his family, to his son and to me.”

I had told Robb, and many other people, that if I ever had to walk the path he was on, I would want to walk it the way he has.

Faithful.  To get to the end with no reserve, no retreat, no regret.

We miss Sharon and Robb. There are still times when it is hard to realize that they are gone.

This past weekend was Memorial Day. There are many people who have given their lives, who have been injured, who have suffered, who have lost loved ones… so that we can enjoy what we call freedom.

If something is free, that means someone else paid for it.

As we live out those freedoms, let’s be thankful for those who have paid the price for that and to come alongside those who have lost loved ones. And for those who are in our lives, let’s express our love for them now.

You never know when they might be gone… just like that.

Make the most of this day.

 

Jeff Becraft is the Executive Director for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives.  Youth Corps is a life-changing leadership development experience that inspires high school students to be leaders in the Midlands and beyond. You can connect with Jeff at [email protected].