Foggy Bloggy

Dave Arnold Photography, 2011

As I write this today, I have to admit, I am exhausted. I just got back from my grandmother’s funeral.  Unlike many funerals, this was truly was a joyous occasion and celebration of her life.  I am so grateful that I was able to attend.  Funerals never come at a convenient time.  Life is always moving forward quickly, and then suddenly our plans are interrupted.   

Since my husband and I will be going to Hawaii for our 30^th Anniversary this year, our budget had been planned out, and there wasn’t extra money to add to the expense of attending a funeral.  However, you do what you have to do to get there, and you are the one truly missing out if you don’t make the effort to attend.  As I learned even more about my grandma, and the Godly heritage she left, I realized how blessed I am.  Where would I be today without a grandmother who spent time on her knees in prayer for all of us?  I am who I am today in part because of those who have gone before me on both sides of my family and set an example for me to live up to.

After my flight landed in Omaha, I had to drive another 2½ hours to the town where the funeral would be held.  Unfortunately, mother nature didn't cooperate.  A half hour into my journey, I hit one of those nasty spring blizzards that snow so hard you can't see but a few feet in front of you.  You know, one of those white knuckle drives where you have to pry your fingers off of the steering wheel when you get there.  I was so relieved when I finally arrived at my hotel. 

Thankfully the next day was bright and sunny for the funeral. At least the roads would be dry to make the trek back to the airport at 4:00 am the following morning.  However, when I got up and walked out of the hotel, the fog was so thick, you could barely see a few feet in front of you.  So not only was I going to be driving in the dark, but also in the fog. 

Sometimes I wonder about the challenges we face in our lives.  As I was making my way through that foggy road, I got to thinking about how much of our life is foggy or snow covered.  Most of the time we can’t see very far ahead to what might be coming around the corner.  We never know from one day to the next what life holds for us.

I also realize that today is Good Friday.  I've always imagined this day being cloudy and foggy as well, as Jesus hung on the cross to pay the price for our sins.   I'm sure many standing around watching this whole event transpire, did not know what lie ahead.  Would this Jesus really rise again like He said He would?  What did the future hold?   Thankfully we know the outcome of this story and that is why we celebrate Easter!

Because we do not always know what we will face in the days ahead, it was a good reminder to me to make the most of today.  Do your very best today with what you have been entrusted with and let God to do the rest.  Take time today to give your husband a kiss, hug your kids, spend some time in prayer, call a friend, smile at a neighbor, pet your dog, (Lakita loves a good ole’ belly rub), etc.   Enjoy the view on the mountain you are climbing today while you can, as there are never any guarantees what is over the next peak.  Don’t always be looking for greener pastures in a meadow or a higher more exciting mountain to climb.  Be thankful for what you have today, and leave a legacy for those in your life that will be passed down for generations to come.  What do you want others to remember about you when your time on this earth is through? 

I hope one thing remembered about all of us is that we took time to make the most of every opportunity during the valleys and the peaks of our lives.

Janna