If I Had…One Month to Live 2

Yesterday I talked about what I would do if I had one month to live. Top of the list is not clean and probably abandon what little parenting skills I have. After all, I’d want my last moments on earth to be fun and stress free! I’d want to have everyone’s last memories of me be happy! But while I was mulling this over I started thinking, “I’m asking the wrong question.” If I had one month to live, I’m not sure much would change for the better. Sure, I would try and be nicer to my family, but I would probably fail and turn the focus on my self and impending death. I would also be obsessed with making sure their future was secure and that might not make for a very happy last month!

So instead I’m asking “What would I do if EVERYONE ELSE had one month to live?” That’s the questions I need to ask because it gets the focus off of me and onto others. I think (though I may be mistaken) that that’s the heart of this challenge. So here it goes…

If  EVERYONE else had one month to live, I’d go out of my way to make their last month happy and stressfree. I’d be more aware of my actions and my attitude. The fruit of the spirit would be falling off of me because I would be more focused on THEIR happiness than my own. I would be more forgiving of their grumpiness or lack of thoughtfulness.  I’d buy them gifts just because and take them to their favorite restaurant. I’d cook their meals and come over and clean their house. I’d babysit their kids just so they could get some rest. I’d send daily encouraging emails and ask if there was anything I could do to make their last month easier, happier.

That’s how we should live! Not as if WE had one month left to live, focused on self and our dying and living, but we should live as if EVERYONE else had one month to live. Focused and committed to make their last days on earth happy!

Think of what would happen if we did. And while you’re thinking, think on this…

Isn’t that how Jesus that’s really lived?

Genny at MyCup2Yours has challenged others to blog about “If You Had One Month to Live.” The idea came from the Times bestseller One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook. Click on over and read the posts, then write your own.