The Dash

In November I'll be speaking for a women's retreat at The Church on the Mountain in Welches, Oregon. One of the beautiful things about getting ready for this kind of group is how good it is for me. Though I hope to encourage and uplift the ladies who will be attending, the truth is I am the one who will benefit most. 

While preparing for this kind of event I spend extra time in prayer, I seek God's wisdom and knowledge. And sometimes I stumble across something extra special.

This week I found this poem called The Dash written by Linda Ellis. 

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning ... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

but he said that what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth

and now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own,

the cars ... the house ... the cash.

What matters is how we live and love 

and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what is true and real

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

and more often wear a smile ...

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read 

with  your life's actions to rehash,

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

Just think about it.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie