Every Day is a Good Day

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My last two posts have been about a not-so-good day, and then a better day, and now I'm here to say "every day is a good day."

Part I
I've told you all before (well maybe not all of you) that my dad died when I was in college. He died of a heart attack -- no warning -- just here one minute and gone the next. And for that reason I have always had the feeling that the other shoe is certain to drop at any moment. I'm always ready -- never too comfy. I don't know whether that's good or bad. You are what you are and most of us can't do too much to change that.

Today I had an appointment with a cardiologist. I have, for several years, thought I should just check things out. Besides my losing my dad to heart disease, both of his parents died from it, and my mom's side has some serious issues too. It's what you'd call a strong family history. I've never been afraid of cancer; I always thought I'd die of a heart attack first. I know that's pretty pessimistic, but, like I said, I am who I am.

Fortunately, the doctor didn't find my family history to be the death sentence I have taken it for. She's going to put me through a stress test and echo cardiogram to make sure things "look" alright, but she said I could very well live my life without a hint of heart trouble. That was good news.

Part II
I was running an errand this evening, and it was pouring rain. I was driving on the highway and as I was tooling along, without any warning, I came upon two cars pulled over on the side of the road, and saw a child was running from one car to the other. I think most of us would agree that it is foolish to pull over on the highway, much less in the pouring rain, for anything less than an absolute emergency. I'm assuming those folks had a real emergency. After I passed their cars, I had several moments of panic as I worried whether the child safely got to the car and whether the cars safely maneuvered back onto the highway, or if they were rescued by an emergency vehicle. I know I was borrowing trouble -- not mine to worry about. But I realized, like I do so often, how short our little lives are; how God can, at any moment in time, snatch us back from the lives we have borrowed.

Why is it that we need those little reminders? Passing an accident on the road, or hearing about someone who is ill, or even having a dream like my friend Margaret did the other night, prompts us to hold onto life a little tighter. Sad, but true. We have to be frequently reminded that life is so very precious. It should to be held onto with both hands, and we should thank God every day for the gift he gives us. Even when the doctor gives us good news, and not bad.

As my bedtime prayer says:

May I awaken tomorrow to know, love
and serve you still another day.
Yet if it be your will to call me from this life tonight,
may I awake to the dawn of eternal happiness with you forever.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Good night, friend.



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