Our very good friend, Stacy, died this weekend in a car accident. It seems disingenuous to talk about something else when something so heavy hangs over everything we do for now. Our circle of friends feel the shock of something that wasn’t expected, even though we should all expect death sometime. She was 36 and her children are 15, 7, and 4.

We ate together five days before she died and talked about the usual stuff: how her new business was going, what’s going on with the house they’re building, and normal family life. Her husband, Dave, did his magic tricks. (If you know Dave, pardon my stating the obvious, because Dave always has a magic trick.) Our kids played afterward on the church playground until the mosquitoes got too bad.

While people continue with shopping, playing, and working, the world has stopped for Stacy’s husband and children. It is good to pause and consider your state before God. We (the Scotts) know that Christ’s blood has covered our sin since we have put our faith in Him, yet it behooves us not to waste our lives. Have you put your faith in Christ? He purchased us so that we could live for Him, making the most of our moments.

I’ve come to terms with my over-inflated sense of self-worth this weekend. Just because other people need me doesn’t mean that God won’t call me Home. (I suppose I believed this objectively but not in my heart.) I should’ve noticed that the house still stood (I really thought it wouldn’t) while I laid in bed for a few months recently. God has us each here for a purpose, which might be different than the one we think we are here for. Glorify God with the task He has for you today, knowing that He is the One holding things together.

Stacy was the lady in church who stole your newborn and wouldn’t give him/her back. She loved on your children and hogged them. She was opinionated, feisty, and kind all at the same time. Nobody got in a fight with her, maybe because we’re all sure we’d lose (even me). She bought me the coordinating earrings for a necklace I had even though it wasn’t my birthday, because I thought it was ridiculous to spend that kind of money on that kind of thing. She could whip your tail into shape even though she was barely five feet tall.

Besides quarreling less and loving more, we asked the children what they’d want to do if it was their last day here. My oldest said that he’d want to go to Steak-n-Shake with our whole family.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.