Live Today like Tomorrow is your Last

 Days before my friend’s untimely death, I strolled around my property with a heavy heart knowing the moment was closing in. I caressed the tiny buds on a fruit tree we’d planted last year, and told my husband, “Becky will never get to do this again.” I burst into tears. Why did cancer have to steal such a precious flower like my sweet friend? She was one of the most giving, Godly souls I’d ever known. If a kind heart could be measured, Becky’s was brimming over.

 

What made her life so different? And what would I do today if I knew tomorrow was my last? This sobering thought hit hard days later when my dear friend finally lost her battle to pancreatic cancer. Grieving her loss, I began to count the cost: What truly matters this side of eternity? Am I living aimlessly for selfish pursuits or for God and others? Becky was a beaming example of a self sacrificial life lived for Christ. She never stopped giving, helping, serving and loving well. She lightened the darkest room with her smile, and made me laugh even when she was dying. Could this be said of me?

The day after the tragic news, I pulled the weeds from my soon-to-be garden while the breeze whipped against my face, the warm sunshine tinting by pale skin from the long winter months. I thought of my friend and I remembered her words to me several months back, “Run your fingers through the dirt. Feel the breeze on your face. Smell the fresh blossoming flowers. Hug the ones you love. Do it all for God. And never take life for granted, for tomorrow could be your last.” She knew her days were numbered, yet she cherished every moment like it was her last – for it indeed was.

As I contemplated the reality and finality of death, the truth dawned on me: Cancer did not win the battle - nor does any other death story - the victory over death stands on God’s precious promises. Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” I am awed how God kept giving this same scripture verse several times this week as a constant reminder that cancer was not in control – Christ is! In fact, I have to share this story how God brought this verse to me: My family and I were driving home from Knoxville when we heard the tragic news of Becky’s death. My eyes were swollen from the tears, but we kept talking about the hope of the resurrection and the great promises we have in God. Suddenly, as we were passing a tractor trailer, we noticed etched in the dirt, the scripture references John 11:25 and John 3:16! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth upon Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” We were deeply touched how God demonstrates His intimate love in the midst of our deepest sorrows.

Isn’t that what it is all about anyway? Did not God give us our life and breath? And will we not one day have to give it back? There is no question from this day forward that I cannot keep or take anything with me when it’s all said and done – even this body I will have to lay aside, along with all my earthly possessions and accomplishments. The only thing that will remain standing is how I made each day count for God’s glory and for the blessing of others. If we know this, how will we live differently if we knew tomorrow were our last? What kind instead of harsh word would be spoken? What selfless deed would be done for a friend – or foe – in need? What grudge, bitter or jealous thought would be left behind? Will we be Jesus to others even when it hurts?

My friend was a stellar example of what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Her life – and death – drove home the fact that there are really only two things that will matter when we draw our last breath: The souls of those whose lives we impacted and God Himself. Becky is now on the other side of eternity with unspeakable joy and full of glory. God has wiped every tear from her eyes and there is no more sorrow and pain. (Revelation 21:4)  This is life! And this is what she told me on numerous occasions: That if others could know Christ and be saved as a result of her life, then dying would be worth it. She was willing to lay down her life, so that others could know God. And this is what Christ did for us. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

By Roxanne L. Griswold

© Copyright 2011

Becoming a Proverbs 31 "Ready" Woman

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When you think of what it means to be a ready woman, what images immediately come to mind? Like me, do you imagine a woman who prioritizes her time, talents, relationships and resources well while smiling at the future simply because she is prepared? Is she ready for any change or challenge, taking charge of a situation and getting the job done now and never later? Is she fearless and flexible enough to adjust her life when bombarded with interruptions or emergencies? Is she a practical person, a realist, ready to count the cost and do the necessary hard work despite the oppositions? What makes a woman truly a ready woman? And is it even attainable?

When I think of the one person in all of recorded history who embodies the perfect, well-rounded ready woman, I cannot help but to think of the biblical woman described in the 31^st chapter Proverbs. No doubt this lady takes the cake when it comes to readiness! Though she had to have human flaws that beset her, nowhere is it noteworthy enough to record. Interestingly, her name is not even mentioned. Though nameless, she certainly was not fameless. This lady was and still remains highly regarded by many as the ultimate woman – for more reasons than one. If you want to be a ready woman, here is one stellar role model to emulate.

My vision for Ready Woman was mainly inspired by this amazing woman and the desire to see change in my own life by simply following in her footsteps. For many years, I aspired to be the perfect, ready woman – and continually failed to measure up. Through much turmoil, frustration and falling flat on my face, I discovered that I cannot be an effective ready woman without first aligning my life with these four essential truths:

Truth #1: Readiness begins and ends with the heart. What we cultivate there will be ultimately seen in our daily lives. One of the first admirable traits we see in the Proverbs 31 woman is noble character (v. 10). Character is not something to be acquired like a college degree or achievement award, it is the outward manifestation of an inward life. It is a life faithfully nurturing first and foremost a relationship with God and then branching outward to the lives of others. Character comes from within. This is not a trait we often see in humanity, but is essential if we aspire to be a ready woman. You cannot be ready, in the true essence of the word, with the baggage of deceit and selfish living.

Truth #2: Readiness results from eager, hardworking hands. Here’s another nugget of truth we see embedded in character of the Proverbs 31 woman. “[She] works with eager hands. . . . She sets about her work vigorously: her arms are strong for her tasks.” (vs. 13 & 17) You cannot be lax and lazy if you want to be ready in this ever-changing, uncertain world; nor can your life be productive and meaningful while you merely sit back and enjoy the ride. The truth is you’ll be miserable, confused and frustrated. God made us to be like Himself – not only to be in communion with Him, but to exercise our God-given destinies while here on earth. And that takes hard work, but the end result yields a lifetime of soul-satisfying reward!

Truth #3: Readiness means making wise choices and prudent decisions. Here again we see our role model choosing right and reaping well: “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. . . . She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” (Vs. 16 & 18) Do you see a pattern developing here: This woman is not the passive, lazy type, she “considers” and “sees” the opportunities in sight and makes it happen. These choices, mind you, are also offset with godly wisdom and consideration toward others. You cannot be a ready woman and use others to your advantage. The Proverbs 31 lady was always looking out for the needs of her family first. She knew how and when to make wise choices and prudent decisions that kept her family thriving even through hard times: “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.” (v. 21) We need not be anxious or afraid if we’ve exercised our God-given minds in making right choices and then trust Him with the outcome.  

Truth #4: Readiness is the result of a woman who fears the Lord. Proverbs wraps up this chapter with a final word about his remarkable woman: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (vs. 30-31). What does it mean to fear the Lord? This kind of fear is not be mistaken with being frighten or scared about something or someone. The fear of the Lord is a reverential fear. It’s when we have a right view of God and live to please Him out of that reverence. Contrary to our personal beliefs about Him, we filter everything through the lenses of scripture. Rather than an impersonal God uninvolved in human affairs, we see Him as supreme and sovereign over all His creation; holy and righteous in his judgments, yet full of grace and mercy. This is the God of Love demonstrated perfectly through His dying son (John 3:16). A God like this should not only evoke a reverent fear, but our praise and adoration. This is the kind of fear we see in the Proverbs 31 woman. She had a healthy view of God and therefore was ready to live her life to its fullest potential without fear of regrets.

This is what it means to be a ready woman! If we uphold these four simple truths, we will increasingly become that woman. Yes, we can choose our own path in this life and may even see some semblance of readiness, but in the end, it will all be meaningless. We were created by God for a purpose with a God-sized vacuum that only He can fill. No doubt the Proverbs 31 woman discovered this truth early on as her life was a continual reflection of readiness. She can be that gleaming example to all of us through life’s tumultuous trials of what it means to be a ready woman.

 

Roxanne L. Griswold

An Aspiring Ready Woman