We all have “stuff “

I’ve been thinking a bit this week about this. It’s my dad dying that made me think about it. Unfortunately.

He had “stuff”. I can remember lovely times with him, but also other times. I can remember him being empathetic and so, so loving and caring, but he could also be incredibly blunt and had a temper (more when he was younger).

But you know what, it’s so easy to criticise others. We need to forgive, move on and love them despite or even because of their foibles or wrongdoings (please be clear though I am not talking about staying around an Abusive person/relationship). We need to actually try to see them, the way God sees them.

The only way we can truly forgive and love is through Jesus. He lived, died and rose from the dead to give us the only means of knowing God and spending eternity in paradise with him. He took our punishment for us.

We are all people, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. All. Not some. All.

Jesus came for the sick, not the well, the people who knew or know or will know that they need him. And we all need him because we all have “stuff”.

Now my dad is gone from here. He’s gone. I know about death, I’ve seen death as a nurse, looked after the dying, understood or thought I understood. But I didn’t. I just thought I did.

I can’t say anything to him now, it’s too late. He isn’t here and we would just so love him to still be where we can see him and talk with him, be with him and I wish I could hug him at least one last time. But I can’t.

Love people, in their weaknesses, in their strengths, in their whatever, just love them. Before it’s too late. Acknowledge the bad but focus on the good. We or at least I need to choose love over offence and love over pride.

Life on this earth seems like everything at the time, but it’s actually incredibly short. Make the most of it, prepare yourself for eternity, choose love. Don’t do the YOLO thing, which seems a code for making excuses to live poorly for short term rewards (that aren’t actually rewards).

And please remember, I’m just a person too… a grieving one at the moment, with an opinion, I just happen to know I’m right on this one….

Cathy