What if?

On my computer internet an advertisement pops up that has the headline "What if you died...?" It's certainly an attention-grabber as we don't want to think about death, do we? Today, I was listening to a talk being given by a member of our team preparing for the Walk to Emmaus (a Christian retreat), and the speaker spoke about such a revelation in her past. After having a near death accident, she came face-to-face with God in the questions of "What if I had died today? Would I be resting in God's arms right now?"

All her good works weren't going to get her to heaven, only faith in God. It's so simple, yet so many of just don't get it, do we? First we must have faith, then we can go out and do good works, reflecting to others what God has given us in time, talent and treasures.

I'm a hoarder. I collect (hoard) lions, photographs, house drawings, and books. I hoard my time, being selfish and staying home to avoid doing something. I hoard my talents, not volunteering to do anything. I hoard my money, not giving gifts to others or giving tithes to my church or food to the food pantry.

Yes, I have faith in God and know that if I died today, I would be resting in God's arms. I know that is enough, more than enough! However, would anyone other than God know that I am a Christian? Would anyone see God-like characteristics, qualities, talents reflected back to them? Am I a mirror for God?

Wonderful!

"I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful."
- Marilyn Monroe

After just checking my losing lottery tickets, I guess I better start acting "wonderful." Acting it would be, because wonderful is certainly not a word that I would ever use to describe myself. To me, wonderful is someone with a exceedingly high amount of talent or compassion. They are gifted. Is wonder a gift? Is being wonderful a gift?

Talent takes effort. There are very few talented people that just let their talents and skills remain dormant. They use their talents, they try to perfect their talents. Compassion takes effort too. The effort of taking the time to express compassion and taking the time to allow the compassion to envelop another person, place or thing. There are very few instances that compassion can be given or expressed on-the-run.

It is no wonder that I'm not wonderful, it takes effort! Maybe that's why it's easier to "make money" than it is to be wonderful. Is it not a sad world where it's easier to make money and be mediocre (there's that word again) than being wonderful? I wonder what one thing I could do today or say today that could be classified by someone as "wonderful"?

Maybe, making breakfast for my sick husband? I'll give it a try.