I have enjoyed for decades the blessing of sitting in the "husbands" chair at a nice ladies dress shop while I waited for my wonderful wife to try on clothes. While she is in and out of the dressing room having the time of her life I can sit and reflect on how grateful I am that I am waiting on her and not someone else!
This past Saturday I found myself in that position once again. Ladies shops really know how to handle the guys. The chairs are almost always comfortable and there are lot's of copies of sports and business magazines available. The really nice ones have coffee. I leaned my head back into the recliner and closed my eyes to rest and wait until I heard her sweet voice when she appeared from the dressing room saying, "Honey, what do you think of this outfit?"
As I drifted into a doze the shop was so dead quiet I noticed I could feel my heart beating. Bump-bump. Bump-bump. On and on it beat steadily. As I listened I imagined that each beat was saying "A-gift," "A-gift," "A-gift." Every beat of your heart and of mine is indeed a wonderful gift from God. We can help the process by eating correctly and exercising but only God knows how many of those beats He will give us. In the average 70 year life span the human heart beats about 2.52 BILLION times. One day God, who counts and gives every beat as a gift, will say, "That's it, that was number 2,520,000,000" It will be over. Since we all know that is going to happen whether we like it or not why in heaven's name would we waste a single moment, of the gift of the beat this second of our heart? I see people every day who waste the precious gift of beat after beat with complaining, worry, fear, anger, hatred, selfishness, and bitterness. We all need to take life seriously. But don't waste the moments God has given you. Stop for a moment and get quiet. I think you will hear it beating out the words, "A-gift," "A-gift." Use that gift wisely.
Richard Tate
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
A very inspirational post!
Awesome, Dr. Tate! I agree whole-heartedly. Hope to share this with my family and friends. Thank you!
Sometimes we are so busy going through our daily routines that we don't realize the gifts before us. Thanks for the best reminder that our gift of life is the most precious!
Thanks, I needed that today :)
This is so true Dr. Tate, we take too many moments for granted. When you have a few minutes, please check out my blog. http://tashagrimes.wordpress.com
I hope that in a few months, I will be able to submit a manscript of a book I'm working on, that chronicles my life.
Dr. Tate ~ Oh so VERY true!! My book Officer Kaboodle Goes to School is released today. I am so excited, but I am reminded that my job as an author is just beginning. I have owned my own business(es) all my life, so I know that using my gifts is so important. With this book and others that will follow, I plan on using my gift of spreading the gospel. I LOVE to tell others about Christ's love for us. You have opened my heart even more with this message. Thank you to you and your wonderful staff. You ALL use your gifts and have made this possible for me and other authors. I feel truly blessed. In Christ's love, Kim Hazleton
Thank you, Dr. Tate, for these words of encouragement. God bless you and your family always!
That was one of the most beautiful things I have heard in a long time. I am very touched that you not only feel that way, but have the courage to write it down and publish it. God is a great and wonderful God and he gives us a great gift of life every day. We should cherish every sec. of every day.
Post a Comment