Don’t waste your days. Wasted days add up to wasted lives. You know there is a certain age when you start to realize most of your life is over. It’s hard to wrap my mind around because I get up every morning and keep living. No matter what. My grandfather always sat with his leg slung over the arm of his chair and said, “I’m not going to quit living until I die.” And he didn’t. He hunched over a push mower 2 weeks before he heard angels singing and saw his sweet momma’s face.
Genesis 27:2, “He said, ‘Look, I am old and do not know the day of my death.’” HCSB
Don’t waste your life
19,935 days of my life are spent. I don’t know how many I have left, I only know what’s gone. Some were wasted on foolish pursuit of the world and selfish desires, others were spent pouring into family, friends and strangers around the world. Many days I’d gladly display, but a few I’d rather erase, or better yet, do over.
Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NIV
Do over days
The days I want to do over are the days I can’t keep my eyes off myself.
The unsuspecting stranger never knew I just didn’t have it to give that day, because neither did she. I carried invisible frustration and hopelessness straight up to the receptionist’s desk. The poor lady didn’t know I could one up her. I’m competitive that way; whatever I do, I’m determined to be good at it. For a moment, I thought my whole self was invisible when she walked past, continued her tasks and failed to make eye contact though I formed a single file line of one to check in. A self-appointed manners critic, I bristled when she robotically spoke, “Name?” No, “May I help you?” really, not even so much as a “Hi.” She might as well assign me a number to hand her, then she wouldn’t have to bother with the onerous task of speaking to another human being.
The edge in my voice didn’t nick the skin of her attitude. “What is your address?” she huffed. But she’d met her match and I huffed my address right back at her, mimicking her tone. Simultaneously she looked up as I looked down. I caught a glimpse of a light pink Bible barely hidden under the mouse she guided with her left hand. Softness invaded her voice, “Sorry, I’ve had a rough day.”
My crooked tiara
Sorry, yeah, me too. Of all people, I should’ve known, but tangled in my own turmoil, I didn’t notice a battle-worn fellow soldier. Instead Her Highness arrived expecting to receive courtesy, customer service and at a minimum – eye contact. Yes, I came to be served. And guess what? It’s not a day I am proud of.
Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ESV
Life Skills
Maybe I should hone another skill, like turning my eyes out instead of in. If I walk through the remainder of my days looking for opportunities to comfort, encourage and repair then I’ll keep living, otherwise I’m the walking dead.
Psalm 39:4, “Tell me, what’s going on, God? How long to I have to live?” MSG
Don’t waste your days
Get all out of life you can. Don’t waste your days:
- Give
- Serve
- Be kind
- Focus on the needs of others
- Sacrifice your bad day on the altar of praise
We get the most when we give the most. Spend your days wisely and don’t waste a single one being a princess with a crooked tiara.
Psalm 139:16, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” NLT
To get the most out of life, give the most #generosity #serveothers Click To Tweet
Thank you for reminding me, “It’s not about me”. I know the days I have left are much less than the days I’ve already been given. My desire is to use the remaining days for GOD’S GLORY. HE is my rock and my REDEEMER
Oh so true, it’s really not about us
oh how many of those kinds of days mark the pages on my life calendar. I do want to learn from them and if I were given a chance for a “do over” I would want it to look better than the last. Great inspiration!!!! Thank you.
That hit home. I zoom in on the few days that I have left and swell on it. When you do that, it is harder to serve. I do wish Ihad a do over life.
There’s always today to start fresh!