Soon after the first of this year, I was looking for a book in my library. As I perused, I saw the book that is in today’s picture. I think it was a book of my Dad’s, and I now own it since I inherited all his books when he passed away.
I’ve read this book, based on the poem, The Dash, before…but probably because I’m not getting any younger and I just joined Medicare…the words of this poem have a much deeper, timely meaning. In case you have never heard of The Dash, here are the words to this poem 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 the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of 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 they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
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?
No, my dash has nothing to do with running or a seasoning in my kitchen cupboard. It has to do with the tiny dash that will someday come between my birthdate and the date I meet my Jesus face to face.
Some of you may think that this is rather morbid or depressing, but I happen to think it is a good thing to spend some time thinking about what we want our dash to represent. That tiny mark will someday represent everything we did in our lifetime; everything we stood for and everything for which we will be remembered.
Sometimes I think it is easier to think about what I don’t want it to represent. I have no interest in others looking back on my life and saying:
“She acquired so much wealth”
“She had more ‘toys’ than her neighbors”
“She always kept her house immaculate”
“She always got everything done on her list each day…”
None of those things will amount to a hill of beans when I take my last breath. None of those things will leave a legacy on this earth which will impact the eternity of those who come behind me. But I am finding that it is so easy to fall into the trap of having each day consumed with those very things for which I don’t want to be remembered.
To make sure my dash stands for what is truly important, I think it is crucial then that I am intentional to make sure each day on this earth is lived for my Jesus. My eyes need to be kept on Him. My ears need to be listening for His voice to direct my path. My voice needs to be filled with words which will direct others to Him instead of away from Him. And, my heart needs to be filled with His love for each and every soul who comes across my path.
I would like nothing more than to come to the end of my life and have others say just one thing about my dash,
“She lived for her Jesus”
I know though, for that to happen, I need to make choices and decisions today which will show for Whom I am living. It won’t always be easy, and I know I will stumble along the way. But I also know that if my eyes are kept on my Jesus, He promises to give me the strength, courage and wisdom I will need to make my dash worth living.
“He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31
