A Quiet Walk Among the Dead

By Dianne Cobb

My daughter and I went for a ride today. We ended up at the cemetery near our little town.  We go there sometimes just because…. We walk around and just look at the grave stones.  I like to stop at the graves of people I knew and try to remember everything I can about that person.

I was with one of the ladies who is buried there, when she took her last breath.  I remember that moment like it was yesterday.  Usually I take my girls with me when I go and they've never really said anything about it. They just go along for the ride.

Today was different… my daughter actually asked me why I come out to the cemetery?  I thought it was a good question so I told her that every time I come, I leave with a new perspective. Today it reminded me that I only have this life to do what I'm going to do for God and for others.

When I die, I know I am going to go to heaven. I'll be walking streets of gold and experiencing all those things the Bible tells us about in that wonderful place, but I will never be able to send a note of encouragement to a friend who is down, or bring a rose to my pastor’s wife just because I love her.  I won’t be able to a make a meal for a sick neighbor or hug my husband and children after they've had a hard day. I only have today to do those things.

I don’t want to hold back my love or fail to tell someone I love them today.  Girl’s, we are not promised tomorrow. I also told my daughter that coming to the cemetery reminds me of those around me who are lost and on their way to hell.  Everyone buried there is either in heaven or hell. There was a day when they walked and talked just like we were doing today. But, now they are in eternity.

Only God knows who's name we will read on a grave stone next year. Will it be my neighbor? Will it be a friend, teenager, or young adult in my church? Will it be someone in my own family? We just don’t know.  We only have today to reach them.

I told my daughter that coming out to the cemetery softens my heart and takes away hardness that I have allowed in my heart. Sometimes sin in my own life and the life of others weighs heavy on my heart and my attitude changes into something it shouldn’t be.

Matthew 24:12  “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Please dear Lord, help my heart not to wax cold.

My daughter was surprised to see the tombstone of someone she knew from our town.  Someone that she had talked to many times was buried there.  She stopped and looked at her grave for a long time....quietly remembering.

I came away from our quiet walk among the dead-- thankful for another day to live and to be able to do things for those around me. I'm thankful for another day to tell my heavenly Father how much I love Him.

Can I encourage you girls?  Enjoy your parents, family and friends around you…. while you can.  Life is too short to be angry or resentful toward mom and dad or friends who may have hurt you.  Forgive them while you can and love them no matter what.

We only have this moment. We surely don’t want to waste it!

 

 We Have This Moment Today.

Written by

William and Gloria Gaither

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living, Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;

Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows, Making memories of what was today.

Chorus: We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand; Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, But we have this moment today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling, For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;

And my little son running there by the hillside, May never be quite like today. 

Tender words, gentle touch and a good cup of coffee, And someone who loves me and wants me to stay; Hold them near while they're here and don't wait for tomorrow, To look back and wish for today.

Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest, And the gold and the brown of the freshly mown hay; Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn, And weave you a lovely today.

 Chorus: We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand; Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, But we have this moment today.