Sunday, December 30, 2018

Another Year in the Dash


ANOTHER YEAR in the DASH


A New Year Sparkles
I’m living the dash and so are you, but I doubt that you think about it much more than I do. Days come, days go and we basically do whatever needs to be done. But let me tell you of a life well-lived.

At a memorial for a ninety-two-year-old lady known as Pearl, her brother remarked that when we die our date of birth and death are formally listed with a dash in between. I pondered this phrase: What that dash represents is up to us.

Dash  has several meanings, but the first that comes to mind is a short race. Time is just a small part of eternity; life on earth varies for all of us.

Pearl’s race was longer than some, but she ran it with faith all the way. Pearl means a pure heart. Onscreen a scripture was shared that described her: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (from The Beatitudes, Matthew 5).

Living the Dash
Pearl’s dash included plenty of challenges. She was left alone as a newlywed when her husband was called to the military. He not only served but was a POW for several years.

Later, as a minister’s wife she faced challenges in moving to churches of various-sized congregations in several states. She was an active wife, mother and ministry helpmate.

Dash  can also mean a little something added. We who knew her would call that her sense of humor. Pearl could always be counted on for a joke or humorous anecdote. It was part of her zest for living.

I have mentioned some positive dashes, but there is also a negative one.

Have you ever had someone dash your hopes or enthusiasm? Not Pearl! She made it a point to keep her dashes on the positive side.

You could hear her “amen” loud and clear during the Sunday sermon. Even her handshake was encouraging as she gave you a firm grip, looked you in the eye and gave a welcoming smile.

Pearl was not a game player in relationships. She lived her life true to her own self, loving God with all her heart and shaping her decisions around His Word.

Having observed her way of dealing with physical challenges in her last few years, I must say that when I think Pearl, I think positive.

Now it's another year in MY dash. People are greeting one another with three little words: Happy New Year!

New Year -- New Options
New! Such a hopeful word. It suggests a fresh start, a chance to avoid making the same old mistakes. 

I’ve written down my resolutions many times, but not this year.

I have learned to approach the challenges of each new day with this affirmation: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning . . . therefore, I will hope in Him (Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT).

Happy NEW Year . . . another year in the dash. What is your approach to it?

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