Life is short

"Dream as if you'll live forever

Live as if you'll die tomorrow"

Sometimes, life throws you curveballs. Sometimes, those curveballs hurt bad. In the last year, I've been thrown a few curveballs that have really opened my eyes. They remind me that life is short. So live every day like its your last. And always remember, God has a reason for everything.

Last year one of my best friends had a scare. It brought us both to our knees before the Lord, tears in our eyes, begging for it to get better. She had kidney stones. Now I know that sounds stupid that kidney stones could be that scary, but it was. She had been having pains and been getting really sick. Her mom took her to the hospital and we found out she had a bladder infection. So the next day we went to a specialist and come to find out she had kidney stones. The doctor then looked at us and said that if she didnt get the kidney stone out A.S.A.P. she could die. Kidney stones and bladder infections can cause blood poisoning. We both lost is. All we could do was hug and cry. That had to be the scariest thing I've ever gone through in my life. She had the surgery to remove the kidney stone, and we all waited anxiously to hear that she'd be okay. Finally the good news came. I spent the majority of that week in the hospital with her and crying when I wasn't there. But God and I got reacquainted. We talked more that week than I think we've ever talked in my life. We couldn't figure out why he would do this to her. She was so young. Then he showed us. He showed us three different things. First and foremost, J's dad and her had a very rocky relationship. They hardly ever talked or spent any time with each other. But the moment she got sick, he drove all the way to see her and be with her. They got their relationship back, which they both desperately needed. Every girl needs her relationship with her father. Second, God showed us that he is there and he is all powerful. Evern when we think we're invincible because we're young, life can be taken in an instant. So live each day fully and appreciate it, because you never know when you won't have a tomorrow. And third he showed us that we need him. Nothing in this life is possible without God. It's by his grace that the doctors caught this in time to make her better. It's by his grace that everything went as smoothly as it did. And it's by his grace that she has made a full recovery. Because of thsi experience J and I both came back to the Lord. J especially. After this we both got back into church, and she got saved. It was amazing. But it also brought us that much closer. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is always there for me. She is always there to hug me when I need it and laugh when I need it. She is absolutely one of the greatest friends anyone could ask for and I'm so blessed to have her.

All of a sudden, God decided to once again remind me that the young are not invincible, and tomorrow is not promised. My friend V has been really sick the last few months. No one could pinpoint exactly what it was. She has been in and out of the ER with doctor appointments after doctor appointments. It just keeps getting worse. Well yesterday she finally figured out why. After another night in the ER and being on an IV all night, the doctors finally told her that she has a bad liver, and that if she continues her lifestyle she could be dead in a year. She's 22. This came as a shock to both of us to hear. How could someone so young be that sick? We both know people much older than her that have lived much worse lifestyles that don't have these problems. And once again I found myself asking God "Why?" It's so hard to think that her entire life has to be changed. She's young and wanting to have fun. But she can never again have a glass of wine, or a margerita or anything along those lines. That's tough stuff for someone so young. But it was a wake up call. Once again God is in control and all powerful. God can give or take away at any point. So appreciate what you have, every breath, every blink of an eye, every moment, every loved one, the sunshine, the rain, and everything in between. And just because you're young doesn't mean it can't happen to you. But we are so thankful that God IS  all powerful, because he made sure those doctors found out in time. He blessed her with friends and family who love and support her through all of this. And he reminded her that he is there. So V and I are going to start going to church together and I'm going to support her in the lifestyle changes she is making by doing them with her. (She is the future roomie btw) because she is a magnificent person. She tells me how it is to protect me from myself. She supports me and loves me. And she means the world to me.

God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes we don't understand why he does what he does. And sometimes it hurts. But it always makes us stronger. It always brings us back to him. And it always serves a purpose.

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

P.S.

Food For Thought:

One night I had a dream--
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."