This Is The DayBeispiel

Three Words for Today

Life is a gift. Each day is precious—and at times fleeting. We can’t control the path or the magnitude of whatever storms or disasters come our way. We can’t anticipate our losses. And we can’t hold on to the promise of tomorrow. 

So what’s something we can do? We can this day celebrate the ones we love. We can create special moments with them. We can say “I love you.” 

A few years ago, I wrote down five life goals: 

• Show Jesus. 
• Fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. 
• Take care of the people I love with resources, finances, and blessings. 
• Be a protector of people. 
• Pursue my dreams. 

For me, part of what it means to take care of the people I love is to make memories with my family. This really started to hit home recently, especially with my parents getting older. I began to realize that I wasn’t going to have them around forever. 

I’ve always appreciated my family, but I was awakening to how truly precious it is to spend time with Mom and Dad, as well as my siblings and my nieces and nephews. Thing is, unless I strove to make it happen, it wouldn’t. Because let’s be real: life always gets in the way. They’re busy. I’m busy. We’re all busy, right? 

People matter more than schedules, more than lists, and more than tasks. We know this, but what does it really mean? How do we live this out? Showing love to others may mean a simple shift of your priorities. 

Think about what matters most. Choose the more impor­tant things over the lesser ones. Balance busy calendars with meaningful moments. Call a friend and let him know you’re thinking about him. Unplug the phones, gadgets, and devices, and be more present with a spouse, parent, or child. 

Tomorrow is not promised. Make time and show someone you care. Tell a loved one that you are grateful for his support. Encourage a sibling to chase after the dream she’s put on the back burner. Say yes to making memories, even if it means rearranging a carefully planned morning. And whether in word or deed, always choose to say “I love you.” 

What is one way you can show someone love today, even if it means making a sacrifice of time?