I didn’t want to, but I needed to. Firstborn and
Secondborn were only five and three years old when the 9/11 tragedy occurred, so
last night, our family watched one of the many 9/11 documentaries. Surreal.
Senseless. Unbelievable. Here one minute - gone the next. No one knew, the
morning of September 11th, a decade ago, that a sequence of events
would occur to change their life forever. The surviving firefighters spoke of
how precious and memorable the moment was when they first saw their families and
even saw each other after the tragedy. I wondered why it takes death or a near
death experience to truly appreciate life.
As much as I strive to live and
cherish each moment, too many irreplaceable moments are taken for granted. I
assume I will inhale again after I exhale, but it’s not promised. I assume I
will see my family again this evening, but it’s not promised. I assume tomorrow
will come, so I can call the friend that has been on my mind, but it’s not
promised. How can I not value every breath I take? How can I not take advantage
of the precious moments flying by?
Sigh…thank you, Lord. Thank you for
reminding me that my life is just a vapor – a brief wind blowing by – a gasp of
breath to exhale – a puff of air – here
one minute – gone the next. Life travels
fast. Learning to take advantage of the time we have with friends, co-workers,
neighbors, and family would be wise. Every moment we’re alive, whether we enjoy
it or not, is a moment with breath in our body. Every breath we take is a gift
of life. It’s time to enjoy this gift of life – with every breath.
