“This lent - live passionately, love completely, learn humbly and leave a bold legacy.” – Excerpt from Terry Shook’s book One Month to Live
In some ways, Meik was lucky! Certainly not because he was dying, but because he was prepared. He loved the Lord with all his heart and he knew he would live eternally.
The doctors had done all they could. Meik’s faith provided comfort, especially during the darkest days. He was going home soon, to a Father he had never met but who he had always known. One month – that’s all he had left on earth.
He shopped there every day just to see her radiant smile. Could it be true love? He’d always buy one new CD - it didn’t matter which one! She was kind to all the customers, but she always seemed particularly happy to see him. Oddly, they never spoke.
If only he had a little more time maybe they could become great friends . . . and who knows?
Soon it happened, his life cut short by a terrible disease. It came too quickly, but there were no regrets. For Meik was at peace, he was prepared, he loved the Lord.
Tonya became worried when he stopped coming to her store. She found out where Meik lived and went to his home. It was his Mom who broke the sad news to her. A sweeter boy she had never met – so humble, so faithful, so full of life.
“May I see his room?” she asked.
“Of course,” his Mom said tenderly, “Take all the time you need.”
His room had the typical “boy” things: books, posters, athletic equipment. But there were a few surprises – a hand worn bible, a carpet badly worn where he must have kneeled to pray. And a large stack of new CDs from her store - still in the store’s bags.
She opened the one he bought just last week . . . and started to sob, uncontrolled now, deep painful tears. Inside she found the unopened love letter she had written to him. She wanted him to know that she loved him.
Why had he not made the first move, why had he not asked her out? Instantly she understood – he was deaf. And her knees gave way to the ground.
Nothing focuses our priorities faster than learning we are about to die. Most of us would realize that we had spent far too much time on things that didn’t really matter. Unlike Meik, we would have regrets. What if you only had one month to live – how would you live your life differently?
“Heavenly Father, none of us knows how much time we have left on earth. Help me to live life completely ready – to love, to serve, to glorify You. I want no regrets! Thank You for what You are going to do through me. Amen.”
