IF WE HAD ONLY THIRTY DAYS TO LIVE

I once wrote an article titled ‘If This Were the Last Day Of Your Life On Earth”, as it could be, what would you say to others today? What message would you want to give to your loved ones; to your friends; and to others who have crossed your path? We hope that everyone lives a long and healthy life, but the fact is, most people will not know when their last day will come.

After I leave this earth it will be too late to say something that might have made a difference in someone’s life, and after life. Opportunities have been missed to tell someone what they need to hear about their faith, and then I learn that they are no longer here. I am nobody special but have a desire that everyone will have a wonderful experience with the Lord as I have. Some who read this have Heavenly contacts closer than I, but others haven’t.

I have thought about this and pondered what should have been said to someone when the chance was there. Jesus commanded his disciples and then everyone to spread His Word. The best present we could ever give to another is the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing Him and believing He is our Lord and Savior is the only path to Heaven. Jesus made this indelibly clear saying: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”, John 14:6. This is the message that should be given to everyone. When I have a chance to talk to someone about faith, I could have started by saying: “What do you think is wrong with the world?” Then after their reply: “Do you think that Jesus is the answer?” Then “What was His purpose in coming to earth?” I want to take every opportunity I may have to convey our Lord’s precious message.

Christian author Mark Mittelberg suggests this experiment. Why not live as if this were your last month on earth? In what practical ways would this change how you engage with people about God? He suggests keeping a journal of the happenings during this month. With each tick of the clock, a moment of your life is behind you. As you read this, minutes pass that you can never regain. Our days are numbered, and each one that passes is gone forever! When we seriously regard our time on earth as a limited resource, this has incredible power to liberate us. We can be freed up with new vigor and enthusiasm to find creative ways to bring the news about the God we love to people in our lives that we love, and to everyone!

Sometime back I came across this beautiful poem titled “IF I KNEW”.

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would videotape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could take an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Especially if this is your last chance to pray,

And tell another about God’s way,

Don’t let this day pass until you do,

God will love to hear this too.