Wear your red dress & use your good dishes...

Call me crazy, but lately I have been thinking about life quite a bit. I've been trying to soak in just how blessed I am and how truly good I have it even though there are things I would like to change. I would like to lose 20 lbs, have my dream job, not ever worry about money or calories or bad things happening to good people. And while I set goals and have big plans for myself and for my family, I stop and think that I am not promised tomorrow. I'm not promised 5 minutes from now. I can't say I truly grasp that, because I don't. I do know that I have feared losing someone I love more than anything. I have cried for days straight with my mind racing through what that would be like and how on earth I would get through a day if I couldn't hear that voice. I have begged and pleaded with God that I just couldn't handle it, so please don't make me do it. But then, I sat and watched the TV last night while they showed Liam Neeson walking out of a hospital thinking, what I can only imagine, was the same thing. "God, I just can't do this." It was just one more reminder of how precious life is and how I shouldn't waste a moment of it.

As I sit here writing this, I remember a woman that Dave and I saw when we went out to dinner for Valentine's day. We went to a nice dinner, but it was just McCormick and Schmick's. I wore black pants and a top (I'm sure it was a turtleneck although I can't quite remember...). And I remember us sitting at our table and a couple walking in and they were in their mid 40's dressed for something much more grand. Girlfriend had on a purple dress with some strappy business going on, her best heels and a tiny little lipstick purse. I thought to myself, "Good grief, did she think they were going to the prom?" As I look back on it, all I can think at this moment is SHAME ON ME! No, she wasn't going to the prom. She was going on a Valentine's date with her husband! Break out your best dress! Who cares what stupid people like ME think! I'm literally sitting here in tears as I think about my reaction, and decision to criticise her choice of outfit. That beautiful dress was hanging in her closet and what a perfect time to wear it. She was seizing the most of that day, of that time with her husband, of that precious moment she was given. And look at me, while we had a fabulous time, wonderful conversation, and I enjoyed every minute of it, I can't for the life of me remember what I wore.

I have been in love with this song for the past few months. It is not new. In fact, it is a year or two old, but it is so wonderful. And just like 6th grade all over again, the Lord is using Point of Grace to speak to me. :) I heard it this morning as I was pulling into work and I just sat and prayed that my life would be full. That my joy would be complete in the knowledge that I am loved and that I am saved by the grace and goodness of God. Thank you, Jesus. I hope that I don't waste one moment to tell David, my family, my friends just how much I love you. Our days are precious, they are good, they are God breathed, and they are numbered. Let's not waste even one!

Wake up to the sunlight

With your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress

Use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

Have what you want

But want what you have

And don't spend your life lookin' back

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

Let it all out

You won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been

Cuz it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live

So go to the ballgames

And go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children

Dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth

'Cause you can't get away

Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

Let it all out

You won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been

Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy

And pray for the grieving

Even when you don't think that you can

'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So think of your fellow man

Make peace with God and make peace with yourself

'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

Let it all out

'Cause you won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live