On December 22nd, 2016 at 2am I was standing by my grandmother’s bedside as she took her last breath on this earth. As I was preparing to speak and sing at her funeral a few days later I racked my brain for the longest time attempting to solidify some life altering message that would minister to everyone in attendance. After sitting behind my computer frustrated by the insurmountable task at hand I realized there was no reason for me to create anything new to share. She had already preached her funeral by the life she lived. Even from my earliest memories of my grandmother the only thing I could remember about her was how much she loved those around her. It didn’t matter who you were. It was a selfless and sacrificial love. She had this ability to love the sinner unconditionally while despising the sin. Every word spoken was bathed with so much love and compassion yet was full of conviction only the Holy Spirit can minister. You walked away from every conversation feeling this odd mixture of emotions and a desire to do better, to be better. There was no judgement or degradation. Only pure, unadulterated love. She wasn’t perfect and, no doubt, made many mistakes in her life. But she was one of the greatest people I’ve ever known. She was an anointed woman of God, a soldier of the cross, who fought many battles on her knees in prayer. She overcame every obstacle in her life with the help of her Lord and Savior.
The life she lived for Christ was the focus of everything she did. As I’ve stated in a past blog, she didn’t have much in this life. But she lived and spent every breath God gave her in a posture of praise and worship to Him. Even after a stroke, brain swell, brain surgery, a coma, and a long stay in ICU she still had her wits about her enough to remember the word of God. I even had a nurse call me one day, mildly amused, to inform me she was preaching to the nursing staff and anyone who passed her room that day about God’s miracle working power. She may have forgotten her social security number, address, and birthday but she had no problem remembering how great her God was or the scriptures she had studied throughout her time on this earth. Her life was always spent helping or doing something for someone else. In later years when she was physically unable to do much she could still be found praying and interceding for those in need. In Job 33:4 we’re reminded, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Every breath you breathe is a gift from God. You can’t take your next one without God’s permission. How are you spending your breath? In other words, how are you using the life you’ve been given?
Closing remarks and encouragement: Are your wasting time focusing on your frustrations, worries, or personal desires? Today I hope you will choose to laugh a little more, to help others more, and- most importantly- love without expecting anything in return. We’re all allocated a certain amount of time on this earth. Some more than others. We never know when we will inhale/exhale for the last time. I encourage you to spend your breath wisely.
Have a blessed week, my friends!