In the blink of an eye…
Have you noticed the beauty of fall lately? In Iowa, the leaves have become, almost overnight, a brilliant palette of golds, reds, oranges, and shades of green.
And, it has happened in a “blink of an eye.”
In fact, some trees are already completely bare- leaves turned, died and fallen to the ground in a crunchy blanket covering lawns.
In my life recently, I have seen two major changes- in the blink of an eye.
Two weeks ago, my sweet father-in-law suffered a massive stroke and is now fighting back to regain some sense of “normalcy” in life. He is having to relearn basic behaviors, including speech. Life has changed completely for our family “in a blink of an eye.”
The other change I was privileged to witness was a sweet, young girl accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. She attended a women’s retreat where I was the speaker. She began the weekend separated from God and left the retreat a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus! Her life will NEVER be the same, and it happened in the blink of an eye.
Both examples remind me how important RELATIONSHIPS are in our lives.
Our family has rallied around my father and mother-in-law, all gathering around to help and support during this hard time. Family has never been as important as it is now. Life has taken on a whole new “preciousness.”
The sweet young lady who was welcomed into the Family of God, became a Christian because someone had taken the time to invest in a relationship with her. Her friend had been sharing the Gospel with her and brought her to the retreat.
Life happens quickly. We never know when things will happen- both “good” and “bad.” Life changes in a “blink of an eye.” Jesus tells us that the most important thing in life is to “love God and love others.” (Mark 12:29-31) Our relationship with God and with the people who He puts in our lives is so very important. It is so important to not waste the time God has given us, because life changes “in the blink of an eye!”
Father God, I praise You! You are awesome…glorious….so good! Lord, help me to always remember that life happens so very quickly. Lord, help me to prioritize my life and my time. Keep my eyes always on “the main thing”….always keeping YOU first place in my life. Open my eyes to see the importance of the relationships you have blessed me with. Help me to honor You in all my relationships. Give me a “Kingdom perspective” in all areas of my life. Thank You for the reminder that life can change, just as the fall leaves on the trees, “in the blink of an eye.” Praise You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Tracy,
What a tender and powerful message — filled with great wisdom.
I pray the healing touch of our Lord over your father-in-law. May he recover fully and may this time in his life find him drawing ever so closely to the presence of the LORD where he will find peace, strength, comfort and restoration. I pray strength and peace for your mother-in-law and family as well.
Beautiful testimony of the young lady who gave her life to JESUS! I love hearing that! Knowing another life has been saved and changed by His grace!
Blessings to you and thank you for sharing,
Lisa
P.S. The anti-spam word is GRACE. So appropriate.
Yes, everything happens in a blink of an eye…I am glad that your father-in-law is on the road of recovery. It is wonderful to have family around.
So neat that this young Lady had an open heart to receive His message of salvation!
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart.
Tracy, such an important reminder for each one of us to never take things for granted. Life can change in the blink of an eye.
Your father-in-law’s life changed and that impacted each one of his family members. Praying for a full recovery but even more important from a Kingdom perspective is that God would be glorified even in the midst of this challenge. I’m sure your family’s presence impacts even the nurses and medical staff. Believe me, they notice.
And how wonderful that the young gal’s life changed in the blink of an eye. Praise God for another child of God. It is the miracle of new birth and how wonderful that you got to see and be an instrument of the Lord in her life.
Two completely different examples but life changed in the blink of an eye. What an important message to keep a heavenly perspective even as we temporarily live on this earth. It’s really not our permanent home; we’re just passing through.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Thank you for this reminder. It is a blessing when we get another brother or sister in Christ welcomed into the family. Hope she will continue to grow in her relationship with the Almighty God.
I will pray for your father-in-law. Hope he recovers soon.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Great Word today and as you remind us that things can change in just a blink of an eye, it occurred to me that nothing, NOTHING, happens that catches God off guard. In fact, many times He is already working on us, preparing us for those moments. So thankful that He keeps us in the palm of His hands!
Wonderful reminder of the importance of relationships.
God bless you!
It is so true Tracy. I think of a phone call coming in the midst of an ordinary day that suddenly turns life upside-down.
I am thankful that the Father holds every minute in His hands and that nothing comes to us that He isn’t in control of.
Praying for complete recovery for your father-in-law and grace and strength for all of you.
Such a great post, bless you.
Great reminder. Three days a week I go to an Acute Post Rehabilitation Hospital for physical therapy. Every day I am there I see young men who have some type of TBI (brain injury), and are quads or para’s …. I am reminded how by the grace of God this could be me in a slit second.
We will pray for your father in law and your family.
God bless you.