Life is so precious

Too often we take things for granted. Life is not exempt from that. How my eyes have been opened recently to this. 

Yesterday I returned home from Milwaukee where I visited a friend in Froedtert Hospital. This visit was like no other. I had a lot of one-sided conversations. My friend was resting peacefully in an induced coma. He's been in that state for a week now, after suffering a severe stroke. The doctors have been very attentive and done all that they can do at this point. Today, they will slowly bring him out of the induced coma, which can take about 5 days as they warm his body to normal temp again. This procedure is risky, life threatening and a lot to monitor for several days. Only God knows the end result. But folks, there it is, right there, a precious life on the edge. One day enjoying fishing in the UP, the next at a hospital with his life threatened. 

The reality, it could happen to anyone, at any time. Maybe not a stroke, but our lives can be changed, altered, taken at any moment of any day. Are you prepared for that? 

My friend's wife, whom I had the privilege of working alongside for two years and refer to as a big sister, has an incredible outlook on this situation. She is fully aware of the severity of things, and yet continues to push through with a hope I have never before witnessed. She has gone so far to say that she will not focus all of her prayers on her husband, whom she knows is a believer, when there are so many lost out there that need to find Christ before their days end. WOW! WOW! And there it is again folks, the acknowledgement of precious lives living on the edge. I am in awe, humbled and honored to know her. What a privilege it was to spend time with her during this difficult situation. Her love for others continuing to grow, being selfless, in the midst of a situation where most of us would be focused solely on ourselves.  

So, today won't be easy as I await news. However, my dear friend has taught me to continue to look away from myself and to others who are in need of the love of Christ. This, of course, made me think of all the precious orphan lives in our world. Thousands and thousands, lives threatened daily as I sit and drink my coffee with a TV in the background, while paying my bills without too much concern. 

My thoughts today will definitely be for my friends, their families and the team of doctors, BUT they won't be limited to that. I will also be praying for the orphans, the lost and anyone that God puts in my path today. I challenge you to do the same. Focus your thoughts and prayers away from yourself today. I guarantee you will be blessed.