April 11, 2025 Update: I wrote the post below during the first year I started writing. It came to my attention this morning and it seems even more relevant now than ever, as several dear friends have gone on to be with the Lord and there have been some scary diagnoses since this was first written. Life really can change in a heartbeat. What an important thing to remember! We aren’t currently in the “holiday season” but we do have a holy day coming up in which we will often spend time with family and friends. It seems like a good time to repost this.
As I look back now over many things I wrote over the years, I realize that I would have written some things with a different tone or expressed them differently. I still believe wholeheartedly in the message below but I also know that life cannot always be wrapped up into a nice perfect package and topped with a bow. I am not sure I expressed this so clearly in what is written below, so I just want to remind my readers to please read what is below with Romans 12:18 in mind: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
This isn’t about fixing relationships or changing them because this just isn’t always possible. Instead, this is to encourage all of us to, as much as it up to us, be at peace with others. It’s to encourage us to have abundant grace towards others and to forgive them freely. Life really is too short to hold on to grudges. I hope this encourages someone today. Here’s the original post—
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I can’t help but remember that last year at this time my uncle was rushed to the hospital after a tragic accident. By the end of January, he was with the Lord. I know of another woman who lost her battle with cancer this year. And several others who are fighting the battle of their lives against the “C” enemy. This time each year, I can’t help but look around me and thank the Lord for granting me another year to spend with my family and friends that are still here on earth. Because life can change. In a heartbeat.
I think we so often get caught up in the things that irritate us about those we love. Or maybe we focus on the political or spiritual disagreements we have with others. But, if we stop and think for just a moment…we realize that if that person wasn’t with us next year, we would miss them dreadfully. We need to remember to be thankful for the people in our lives. Because life can change. In a heartbeat.
Instead, we so often let things fester. Ephesians 4:26 says not to let the sun go down upon your wrath. How many of us obey that command from scripture and never go to bed angry? How many of us would rather hold on to our pride than heal a relationship? Or how many of us speak before thinking and say something unkind, not thinking of the hurt we are inflicting? Why do we make such a big deal out of the little things? What if that person was no longer here? Think of how ridiculous you would feel about holding such stupid grudges.
You see, we only live once. And life is too short to hold grudges and have broken relationships. The holidays are a time for family. And lots of times families are the ones who irritate us the most. But I encourage you to let the annoying things roll right off of your back– don’t hang onto them. Yes, this can sometimes be hard to do. But as you practice it more and more it will become easier. Instead, turn your thoughts towards the good things. The love that you have. What you have in common. The way that person has been a blessing to you. Because life is short. And life changes. In a heartbeat.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
Psalm 104:14-16