For some reason the other day the idea of the last time we do things popped into my head. I am not usually one for emotional, sad remembrances, so in a way the thought surprised me. The fact is though, that we do things for the last time all the time whether we are aware of it or not.
Even in realizing this, I wasn’t overwhelmed with regret or sadness; my thoughts went in a different direction. With a lot of things in life, if we don’t do them for the last time, we can’t ever do something else for the first. For example, if we don’t quit a dead-end job, we cannot start our new dream job. If our child doesn’t graduate Kindergarten, they cannot move on and eventually graduate high school. If we don’t do a bad habit for the last time, there is no way to start a healthy new habit for the first.
Two weeks ago I was talking about mourning, (check it out here ) and I think this concept of the last time goes along with that. In life, things always have to make way for growth. Even in nature we see the plants give way to seed which in turn produces new life. And of course, even though it is the way things are, we can still feel sad about our last times and honor our feelings.
The other side of this is to not take anything for granted. I am thankful for each day I get to wake up. I am thankful for each hug I get to give my kids. Again, not to be melancholy, but grateful because we just do not know when the last time will come.
The really wonderful thing is, whether we are doing something for the last or first time, (or a time in between) Jesus is right there with us. In the book of Revelation, it says Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Basically He is saying He knows everything from A to Z, including your life and my life. I find that awesomely comforting and I hope you do too!
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13
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