A few weeks ago on the news, there was a report on how traffic deaths had dropped to their lowest levels since 1994 in 2007. The report credited the higher gas prices, which led to fewer people driving with the decrease. According to a report in USA Today, there were 1,649 fewer deaths in 2007 than the year before.
I have thought about this a lot. There are 1600 people walking around today that could have died a couple years ago in a car accident and didn't. What a blessing. They have been given a second chance at life and weren't even aware of it. Are they living their lives any different? Do they have an increased gratitude for the world they live in and all the blessings around them? Have they taken the opportunity to forgive someone and mend fences? Of course not. They don't realize they have this second chance. The trauma that forces these things to our minds never came for them.
And then the thought came-- what if I were one of those 1600 people who has been given a second chance at life? What should I do differently in my life? How can I be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend? Who do I need to mend fences with? How do I need to improve myself to be ready to meet my Maker? How can I be more grateful for the gift of life?
My brother is in the hospital right now recovering from a perforated colon. Things like that make you wake up and realize that this life is temporary. None of us are immune to the reality of death. But I want to make my todays here on this earth meaningful and live as if I had been given a second chance at life.
1 comment:
Katie-great post! Sometimes we get so bogged down in our day-to-day lives that we forget to appreciate the fact that we HAVE a life. It could be gone in a second! We also need to remember to tell the people we love that we love them because they could be gone in a heartbeat too. Life is so precious! Love you!
Shelly
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