David’s Blog

As I was completing my hospital visits the other day I found myself staring at the numbers in the elevator wondering what level of the parking garage I parked on. There were almost a dozen choices in as many colors and I couldn’t remember a thing. Do I go with a color that looks good or a number that sounds good?

I used to think that forgetting where one parked was evidence of a senior moment but what now, I’m not 40 (at least not for a few more months)!

So, mentally I backtracked and came up with a color/number combination that seemed like a good starting place. As soon as I stepped off the elevator I recognized an out of state license plate of a nearby car that stood out like a landmark for some reason and there across the aisle was my vehicle.

I guess I’m still such a kid because I ask “why” a lot. So there in that moment I asked myself “why didn’t I remember what level I parked on.” I didn’t like my answer because it meant that I had been too task focused, get out make the visit and get back to the office. It also made me wonder what else did I/do I miss when I get so focused on just getting done and through something that I forget the things of life.  Life is full of incidentals, spontaneous moments and interruptions that should remind us of the real Life. Often it is not the task but the journey that transforms us.

That answer also means I’ve got a little more life left in me yet, too!

A couple of months ago a family in our church experienced a death that could be described as before his time. The funeral was a celebration of life and hope like few that I’ve attended. I was recalling a conversation I had with them just prior to the death. In light of Easter it makes even more sense.

As we talked the couple was relating stories of happenings that they considered to be more that coincidence. If you didn’t know all that was going on and heard their interpretation you would think these people were being “overly religious.” One incident about a dog led them to believe God was up to something. Another circumstance at school pointed them again to bigger, spiritual plans. It seemed that with a sense of the nearness of death everything they encountered and considered had a new point of view, a spiritual one.

As Easter nears can you imagine Jesus’ heightened sense of purpose! He always knew he would die but as he entered Jerusalem for the last time, ate the Passover, cleansed the temple…wow.

We are reminded over and over that we are “dead”, “crucified with Christ,” “consider yourself dead,” to “lose your life” and experience ”new life.” If we were more aware of our death would we be more spiritual minded? Everything is spiritual we just miss it as we live a short-sighted life. Oh that I/we would embrace our death so that the spiritual would influence us every moment.