Make Every Day Count

In the past two months, I have experienced the loss of several individuals. These people ranged in age from young adulthood to late adulthood. The circumstances were varied as well (i.e. somewhat expected vs. sudden and tragic). As we know, death is a part of life. But as a believer, we have a blessed hope. We "do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

We are soon approaching the season when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. We can find comfort in God's Word and what he reveals to us there about death:

It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

The passage goes on to remind us that "He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. 57).

As I've experienced these recent losses, I am reminded of one more thing. We must be careful not to take one another for granted. We must show our love to others while they are here to see, hear, and touch it. I discovered a poem entitled "Tomorrow is Not Promised" by Jonathan F. Choyce III that reminds us to:

Make every day count.

Appreciate every moment

and take from it everything that you possibly can,

for you may never be able to experience it again...

Ann L. Gantt, Ph.D., LCSW
New Hope Counselor