"...Don't think for a minute that I'm gonna sit around and sing some old sad song.
I believe it's half full not a half empty glass.
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last.
I ain't here for a long time.
I'm here for a good time.
So bring on the sunshine, to *** with the red wine,
Pour me some moon shine.
When I'm gone put it in stone 'he left nothin behind.'
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time"
George Strait
I first heard this song on the radio a month or so ago. At first, I thought "wow, what an awful song!" It seems very irresponsible to live just to drink yourself to a happy and quick death. But then, as I heard it a couple more times, I realized there is an attitude we should have about this life. We have no guarntees for how long we will be on this earth. Even the Bible says that no one knows what tomorrow will hold and exhorts us to live responsibly and passionately for the Kingdom of God. Just to be clear, I do not believe we should follow all elements of this song, but I do think that there is a Biblical principle in living without regrets.
The last few weeks have been going pretty well at school. I can't believe we're already in the second to last week of this first sequence. I have learned a lot-- both medically and personally. On the whole, the conversations have been less raunchy, though there are still times when I'd like to cover my ears and yell "lalalalala." But, thankfully, the Lord has been helping me not dwell too long in the topic.
Now, I'm sure you're wondering what the title of this blog has to do with what I've been talking about. One of my favorite high school teachers died two weeks ago. Her leukemia finally won, but her family let her go praising God. I will always fondly remember her and admire her obvious love for God and teaching.
Another farewell was that my sister and I quit the preschool Sunday school program at church. I have been working with preschoolers for seven years, each year thinking the class was better than the last. They've made me laugh, cry, want to pull my hair, and then make me laugh again. It's only been the last few years, that parents and the kids have started calling me "Miss E----." Before that I was simply "teacher." And I will admit I still occassionally miss being called "teacher." Because of how much I loved that name, I wonder if that's a little bit how Jesus felt when people called Him "rabbi."
So, things are moving on. I will always be thankful for Mrs. Schmuck and my time with the preschoolers. I am who I am because of the parts they played in my life, and I want to encourage you to realize that everything in your life happens for a reason. You may not understand it this side of Heaven, but I promise you there is a reason. But you don't have to take my word for it-- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."
God bless, friends!
