If I Had My Life to Live Over

I was going through some of my notes and news clippings the other day, when I ran across this article. Maybe you've read or heard this story before, but I thought I'd share it with you because it has some great pointers on living.

The lesson here is that we all have a certain amount of time that is given to us. Some of us are blessed with a few more days than others, of course. But, the point is, how are we using our God-given days? (Psalm 102:11)

When the late Nadine Stair of Louisville, Kentucky, was 85 years old, she was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again.

"I'd make more mistakes next time," she said. "I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

"You see, I'm one of those people who lives sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, and a raincoat. If I had to do it over again, I would travel lighter than I have.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds and I would pick more daisies."

It's totally natural to go about our lives with our: work, spouses, families, friends, etc., and not give a second thought to the passage of time. Yes, I admit that I am guilty of this, too. Some days seem like a blur to me too, especially with young children! (James 4:14)

I guess the reason I like Nadine's story so much, is that she has the advantage of looking back over a long, blessed life. Her message is simple and clear: Enjoy life! Maybe what you enjoy is different than what I enjoy, but that's okay. As long as we understand that we were given this gift called "life." And, that's exactly what it is; it is a gift from God. So go ahead, enjoy your gift, but always remember where it came from. Let's give Him praise:

O God, I thank You for this day of life

for eyes to see the sky

for ears to hear the birds

for feet to walk amidst the trees

for hands to pick the flowers from the earth

for a sense of smell to breathe in the sweet perfumes of nature

for a mind to think about and appreciate the magic of everyday miracles

for a spirit to swell in joy at Your mighty presence everywhere.

(Prayer by Marian Wright Edelman)

~Eve