“Every man dies, not every man really lives.”  -Braveheart

The death rate in the world has been steady for all time.  It has been hovering right at 100%.  Everyone will die.  Even if you are healthy, active, in shape, body-conscious, one day your body will stop working.

Wake up, eat three meals and a few snacks, go to work, clean yourself and your home and car, watch a show, read a book, go to bed, do it again.

Is that living or just surviving?

Kristen Milligan passed away  one year ago tomorrow. She was a truly amazing person and my very best friend. One of her favorite verses is found in James 1:2-4 and she referenced it often in her speaking engagements, books, and daily life. This is what it says in the modern day Message translation of the bible:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Several years ago in 2005, my wife Heather was diagnosed with cancer. She had malignant pleural mesothelioma, a very rare and deadly form. It was devastating to our family, particularly because we had just celebrated new life. Just three months prior to her diagnosis, she had given birth to Lily, a beautiful baby girl. We thought that we would be spending the rest of that year celebrating the holidays with our new bundle of joy, but we were in for something much different.

I live in Minnesota and we have had quite a wintry March.  We had several feet of drifted snow everywhere we looked, and temperatures in the single digits as the calendar flipped past March 21 . . . Spring!  It is hard to believe in the promises of Spring when Winter is still lurking all about.

But I had a friend remind me that things are not always what they seem.

Entrusting our kids is not easy.

After taking some time to process the tragic shooting at the elementary school in New Town, CT & speaking to some some IOH families over the holidays who recently lost a parent, it makes logical sense to cling to those we love even more. Yet,  I'm still reminded of the idea of having "Open Hands", even in such a time as this. Again I ask the question, how do you savor those around you without holding too tightly?

I am not a cat lover.  However, tonight when the car in front of me accidentally ran over a cat I shivered and shreeked. I felt sad for that poor kitty and the owner who was currently ignorant to that fact that the cat was gone.

Why on earth did the cat bolt out so quickly into the road when cars were speeding by in both directions? Why couldn't she just wait a few minutes for a clear path so she could cross safely?

I value life greatly.  Hopefully, you do too.  There is no question the life we have here on earth is often times far too short whether it is 40 years or 99.

It seems like, more often then not, we spend more time contemplating what we are going to make for dinner or what our next big purchase is going to be then we do on teaching our kids or loving our "neighbors".

Life is too short.

We need to be intentional about taking a moment to teach our kids about loving others.  Or, for that matter, intentionally looking for ways to love others.

We need to literally stop and smell the roses...or at least notice that they are there and that they are all unique and beautiful. Can you believe each one of us is also unique and beautiful? Yes, you!