My Little Word for 2015 is “mindful.” [I'm participating in Ali Edwards' annual 12-month journey.]
As I turn 58 this year, I am “mindful”
of the fact that my life is finite and that each day I am given is truly a
gift. How many years have I gone through
life either so self-absorbed or mindless that each day mattered? Half-asleep?
At work, we are doing a yearlong
series on “practicing mindfulness.” As
much as it is trying to not focus on this, there is no question that
mindfulness is a concept of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Transcendental
Meditation. That’s a shame, because I do
believe my Christian life is to be one that is mindful…and it has nothing
to do with the world’s definition.
As a child, my pastor, Rev.
Smith, wrote in my autograph book (do they even have those anymore?) “Only one life,’twill soon be past, only
what’s done for Christ will last.”
It has been on my mind for weeks.
I want to be aware of life as it
comes by each moment by moment. Every
action is purposeful and means something (and not all is positive). But if I am not mindful of it, how can I
correct or adjust?
One night last week I got into bed so
mindful of the warmth and security of those plaid flannel sheets in bed. What else have I missed through hurry?
I also chose this word so that I
take responsibility over the daily choices I make. This can be with regard to what I eat, what I
say, what I think, what I deny, what I avoid, what I write, how I write or say
something, what I do with my time, what I don’t do with my time, when I go to
bed, when I get up, how I spend my time-talents-treasures (to coin a phrase
from Howard Duma), how I respond, how I nurture myself and others, what I give,
when I give, how I give, and on-and-on.
Maybe I’m at the time of my life
where I start to experience irreplaceable losses as if I’m running out of
time. My parents are now both gone to
heaven. My mother’s best friend, Mary,
who is such a strong connection to my mother, turns 80 this year.
I have a husband, a son, a
daughter, three grandsons, patients/families, coworkers, neighbors, strangers
that I come across every single day. How
can I make a difference if I am not mindful?
How can I leave a mark that points to Jesus if I’m not mindful of my own
accountability?
Life goes fast. It is a gift.
I want to be mindful with every ounce I have and soak it all in out of
gratitude to my God and Savior, who is ever mindful of me.
