I suffered a tragedy today. It is all relative, of course, but I lost something dear to me nonetheless. You see, I collect coffee mugs—among other things—and I got one on a particularly wonderful family vacation several years ago I loved. This was a special piece of ceramic pottery. It was a strong mug. It was a big mug. It held just the right amount of coffee. And being ceramic it kept it hot for a long time. I loved this mug. Every day, and sometimes a couple times a day, regardless of whatever else was going on in my life, I knew my mug would be there for me. When the days were cold, my mug would be there to warm me up. When I was alone, I could count on my mug not to let me down.
Then it happened! I had enjoyed an afternoon cup of coffee to perk me up in preparation for the rest of the long day ahead of me. I sat it down in the empty sink to wash it next time I needed to use some water. In the meantime, I was cooking something for our small group’s dinner session and had a large baking dish that needed to be washed. While rinsing out the large baking, the soap on my hands made me lose my grip, dropping it on top of my favorite mug. It was doomed.
Now I have pretty good reflexes if you did not know. With my right hand, I attempted to reach under the falling dish to preserve the mug, but to no avail. It was as though the mug was made from powder held together by a seam of glue the way it exploded and disintegrated as the dish landed on top of it. As I watched it crumble and fall in the sink, I saw the mug’s lifetime flash before my eyes. My favorite mug was no more. Despite any valiant attempt on my part, I could not save my mug.
The fact is I am just using the coffee mug as a metaphor for life. Though I loved my mug and when it broke I was upset, it was by no means as precious to me as my relationship with the Lord, a friend, or a family member. Still, there are all sorts of people, places, and things in life where we take their presence for granted. Just as I had placed my coffee mug in the sink as I had many times before, I had no idea I would never be able to use it again. This reminds me that there are times when we hang up the phone for the last time, wave goodbye for the last time, or sign a card for the last time. We never know when any these events will be the inevitable “last time,” so we must cherish any and every opportunity we have while they are ours to enjoy.
Several years ago, my wife lost a young friend to a tragic end. When she got the news, she immediately jumped back in her mind to the last time they spoke and of all the missed opportunities in between. She thought about times when she “should’a, would’a, could’a,” but in the end she knew there was nothing she could do but remember the good times, pray for peace—both her own and the family—and use this as a reminder not to take for granted the blessings of those around us.
When separations occur, they can be quite difficult, even tragic. But I do have good news…endings are not the end of hope! You see, we have a God who has conquered death and promised to never leave us alone in the midst of separation. So when you lose someone, someplace, or something near and dear to you, remember and cherish what they mean and represent. And then remember these words, that they might provide you hope, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
Then it happened! I had enjoyed an afternoon cup of coffee to perk me up in preparation for the rest of the long day ahead of me. I sat it down in the empty sink to wash it next time I needed to use some water. In the meantime, I was cooking something for our small group’s dinner session and had a large baking dish that needed to be washed. While rinsing out the large baking, the soap on my hands made me lose my grip, dropping it on top of my favorite mug. It was doomed.
Now I have pretty good reflexes if you did not know. With my right hand, I attempted to reach under the falling dish to preserve the mug, but to no avail. It was as though the mug was made from powder held together by a seam of glue the way it exploded and disintegrated as the dish landed on top of it. As I watched it crumble and fall in the sink, I saw the mug’s lifetime flash before my eyes. My favorite mug was no more. Despite any valiant attempt on my part, I could not save my mug.
The fact is I am just using the coffee mug as a metaphor for life. Though I loved my mug and when it broke I was upset, it was by no means as precious to me as my relationship with the Lord, a friend, or a family member. Still, there are all sorts of people, places, and things in life where we take their presence for granted. Just as I had placed my coffee mug in the sink as I had many times before, I had no idea I would never be able to use it again. This reminds me that there are times when we hang up the phone for the last time, wave goodbye for the last time, or sign a card for the last time. We never know when any these events will be the inevitable “last time,” so we must cherish any and every opportunity we have while they are ours to enjoy.
Several years ago, my wife lost a young friend to a tragic end. When she got the news, she immediately jumped back in her mind to the last time they spoke and of all the missed opportunities in between. She thought about times when she “should’a, would’a, could’a,” but in the end she knew there was nothing she could do but remember the good times, pray for peace—both her own and the family—and use this as a reminder not to take for granted the blessings of those around us.
When separations occur, they can be quite difficult, even tragic. But I do have good news…endings are not the end of hope! You see, we have a God who has conquered death and promised to never leave us alone in the midst of separation. So when you lose someone, someplace, or something near and dear to you, remember and cherish what they mean and represent. And then remember these words, that they might provide you hope, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
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