Shining a Light

The Dash

Hi everyone! It's been a while since we've updated this book and I wanted to share a poem I heard recently called The Dash by Linda Ellis, so enjoy!

 

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 her date of her birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

 

But he said 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’s 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?

**********

Something to think about, isn't it? I absolutely love the message of this poem and it's a concept I strive to live out each and every day. We don't know how much time God has planned for us to stay on this earth, we never know when our dash could come to an end. So live each day to the fullest, shine a light for Jesus! Live a life pleasing to HIM!

How do you spread the love of the Lord in your life? How do you show others that you are a follower of Him? All awesome things to think about and act upon....how will you spend the rest of your dash?

~Katie :)