EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

This is the last in a five-part series of columns entitled “Epitaph.”

Why is it exactly that I love red lipstick, or any lipstick at all, my sister rarely wears it? I honestly don’t think I ever saw my mother with any on, so why do I love it?

Then there are the important things in life, like what are my hopes, dreams and aspirations for my children and their children. Why is faith important to me? Why am I who I am?

So, at the end of life, what will my epitaph read? I pray it will have some sort of indication that I lived a life well worth hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” from Matthew 25:23.

I don’t need anyone to come lay flowers upon a stone, I don’t desire huge fanfare. I do, however, long to have made a divot in others’ lives. I hope in my living, then in my passing, I will have made an impact for the kingdom of Jesus. I pray that others by knowing me, will know the Father.

Words of truth from the song “Only Jesus,” by Casting Crowns:

“Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself

“Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else

“Make a name the world remembers

“But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams

“I got lost in the light when it was up to me

“To make a name the world remembers

“But Jesus is the only name to remember

“And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy

“I don’t care if they remember me

“Only Jesus

“And I, I’ve only got one life to live

“I’ll let every second point to Him

“Only Jesus

“All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won

“Will crumble into dust when it’s said and done

“Cause all that really mattered

“Did I live the truth to the ones I love?

“Was my life the proof that there is only One

“Whose name will last forever?

“And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy

“I don’t care if they remember me

“Only Jesus.”

“You say you’re not special because the world doesn’t know about you, but that’s an insult to me. I know about you,” from John Green in the book “The Fault in Our Stars.”

You matter! I matter.

So, what will we do with this life we have been given? How will we choose to use the moments, possibly the days and even years we have left?

“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16

I pray I chose well! Godspeed!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend, and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.