Our very dear friends up in Alaska are moving. Their time there has come to an end and in just a few days the moving truck will be showing up to load up all their belongings.
Last night I put together one final care box to send to our very precious friends in Alaska. Inside the care box are three fun story books for the little ones (including “Smelly Louie” which is hilarious); also a fun read-aloud story for the older kids (“The Finch’s Fabulous Furnace” – one of hubby’s favorite stories from when he was a kid). We included some coffee for our friends (to help fuel them for their long journey), as well as “Campfire Story Prompts for Kids” to help with the long drive down to the Lower 48.
I was a bit sad as I saw the last final care box ready to go.
It’s the last care box we will be sending to Alaska. That window of time is gone … never to be had again. A lot of life happened for our friends up in Alaska. We sent a lot of care boxes filled with a lot of love during that time.
This next phase of life for our friends will be completely different for them. A lot of life will happen in this new place they are moving to. And likewise, this next phase will also hold opportunities for hubby and me to send care boxes filled with love.
It reminds me of the day-lily which is currently blooming in my front flower bed. I have never had a day-lily before. This one is a very special gift from someone very special in Idaho.
It’s fascinating to watch it bloom. Each bloom is only open for one day. Here you can see the bloom on Sunday. I love how the top three petals are ruffled, and the bottom three petals are smooth.
The next day that bloom was gone. All shriveled up.
And a new bloom had opened up.
Here is the new day’s bloom. This new bloom also has the top three petals ruffled, and the bottom three petals smooth. But it is, at the same time, completely different. It is blooming from a different angle on the plant. This bloom is facing a different direction than the previous bloom. The photo of this new bloom is completely different from the photo of the previous bloom.
So it is when it comes to life.
Today looks similar to yesterday (just like the day-lily blooms), yet it is completely different. Today holds opportunities which are different from yesterday. Yesterday’s opportunities are gone. The chance at them is gone. All shriveled up.
Were we grateful for the beautiful gift of yesterday? Did we thank God for the beautiful gift of yesterday? Did we seize the opportunities God gave us yesterday?
Or did we miss it? Did yesterday slip right by while we were distracted scrolling?
Today is a beautiful gift. Today hold opportunities which God has given us to do something that matters and makes a difference. Today holds opportunities for us to thank God and praise him. Today holds opportunities for us to encourage someone. Today holds opportunities for us to be a blessing to someone with kindness and love.
And once today is gone, tomorrow’s opportunities might look similar, but they won’t be the same.
Each day of life is a precious beautiful gift … and when it’s gone it’s gone.
What are we doing with the precious beautiful gift of life God has given us each day??
