One of our family friends has an app that’s called “We Croak.” Seven times during the day, a small alarm goes off and a quote pops up as a reminder on how to live. I don’t have this app, but I am constantly aware throughout my day that life is short. As I pass through my day, something inevitably reminds me of my dad. I often felt depressed when I got that a reminder. I miss Dad. I wish he was with us.

Lately, when I start feeling sad, I use this time to spend time thinking about Dad and thanking God for him. I slow down and ask, “What does God want me to learn from my dad right now, or what is my sorrow teaching me, or how does the understanding that life is short, change my mind?

Mostly, this practice helps point me in a better direction with my thoughts and with my priorities. I heard once there are no priorities but just one priority. I center into that. What is my one priority right now? How does the reminder that I am going to die, that life is short, and all of us are finite, influence my choices right now? Do I have something as a priority that shouldn’t be?

Sometimes, I talk to God, and I imagine Dad is with me. We would often pray together. I think about what Dad would want to pray for me. Mostly, I imagine he would pray for me to stop wasting time with worry or assumptions, petty frustrations, or unforgiveness. I can picture Dad asking me- is this what you want to spend your time thinking about right now? 

When I remember that life is very short, my choices and decisions change in light of eternity.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

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