David is a man from my church that came face to face with death. He had become very sick due to a heart condition and needed a transplant. Being so close to death, he’s understood more than most of us what it is like to appreciate life. In the moments he spent battling for his life I’m sure he thought about his life accomplishments and the things he wished he could do. A lot of people that have been in a situation like him, don’t make it. Overcoming death is an experience you can never forget, leading you to change the way you see life; not just your own, but the life of others. That’s what happened to David.
I’ve heard him talk many times about the miracle God made in his life, and the thankfulness in his heart for having the chance to live. Listening to his story makes you really think about the value of life, and what you do with it. His story has inspired many people, including myself, to realize the reason we are chosen to live. Every day is an opportunity that not everyone is blessed with. So how are we spending the moments of our lives? Are we wasting time, or are we working to better ourselves and those that surround us? Are we building hope for those that don’t have any? What about being an example to the people that need one?
We’ve been chosen to live to this point for a reason. We have a purpose to fulfil, not just in our own lives, but in someone else’s. As young people it may be hard to realize that. With school and work already being hard as it is, when do we find the time to worry and help others around us? But sometimes with something as simple as a smile, or a hello, it brightens people’s lives. We may not have a story like David’s to inspire people with, but there are people that all they need is a friendly gesture to have hope, to keep them going.
Most of the time, and not purposely, we worry only about ourselves. What we are going to eat, what clothes to wear to stay warm outside, and where we must go. What if we spent a few minutes a day worrying about someone else? Maybe while buying something to eat, we buy something extra for someone that maybe hasn’t had a chance to grab lunch because of work. Or maybe giving a jacket or blanket you no longer use to someone that needs it.
Now, not everything we give needs to be materialistic. We can give a hug to someone that you think needs it. Every time you do something for someone, you impact their life. And you may ask well how does giving a hug impact someone’s life drastically? I’ve been there. The one who’s received a hug, and I can tell you that at that exact moment I was feeling alone. Even while being surrounded by so many people, just by someone asking me how I felt and giving me a hug while letting me know everything would be okay, went a long way. It made me feel valued, and comforted, even when I thought I didn’t need someone.
We’ve been chosen to be in certain people’s lives for a reason. To bring love, hope, and most of the time, peace. Life is complicated, and no one deserves to face it alone. If you know of someone that really needs you right now, you were chosen to be there for that person for a reason. Be their hope, be their inspiration. Most importantly, be the proof they need to believe they too have been chosen.
Sincerely,
Heidi