“Don’t worry about what you will eat, drink, or wear. ~ Matthew 6: 25-6
Life travels faster than you can
imagine. One moment you're getting on
the preschool bus and the next you're dreaming of life after college. Its one big rush to the next chapter of a
book that really isn't very long after all.
Outside traffic sounds woke Nic.
He heard a Harley motorcycle cruise past
his window. He smiled vaguely, pleased
that he could still recognize its low, guttural growl.
More time for reflection. It seems we’re always too busy to appreciate life’s
simpler pleasures, things that don’t cost a thing but make our lives so much more
complete. Things like feeling warm sand
between your toes, the smell of fresh baked cookies, or even holding a newborn
baby.
Nic’s attention was drawn to the
sounds of a slight commotion in the hallway.
Janitors or nurses he thought; maybe even late night visitors.
He thought about the birds in
his backyard; so vibrant and animated. He recalled lifting rocks that revealed a
whole network of life beneath them - insects of every kind going about their
lives with purpose. He reminisced about twinkling
stars, realizing that humans occupy only the tiniest fraction of time in this
universe.
He felt an itch on his
forehead. Instinctively he reached up
and scratched.
Bringing his hand close to his face,
Nic wiggled his fingers, first the thumb, then the ring finger then in a flurry
his whole hand and arm. He tried the
rest of his limbs. Nothing! He couldn’t move a single limb, but he
grinned nevertheless.
For now he savored any movement.
He scratched his head some more, feeling
his disheveled hair. He touched his soft
but cracked lips and let his fingers travel the length of reachable parts of
his body. He can't feel anything from
his neck down but the effort felt good anyway.
It’d been nearly four months
since Nic almost died on a sidewalk in Peoria.
In a neighborhood peppered with gang ties, he was beaten, kicked, and
stomped; he suffered near-fatal, paralyzing injuries.
People say that your life
flashes before your eyes before you die, but they’re wrong, reasoned Nic. It’s not your life that passes before you,
it’s the regrets that do.
So he thanks God for a second
chance at life. This time he’ll
appreciate it more. He’ll surround himself
with love, anywhere and everywhere he can find it. He’ll make memories, hide nothing and praise
God for every breath.
Lord,
You work in ways well beyond our grasp. All
of life’s pressures are self-inflected - we’re not meant to stew over every
last detail. Thank you for the life you’ve
given me and help me find ways to make You proud of whatever life I have
left. Amen
