Life is gift from God: Use it wisely

Schools gamble for revenue share
August 16, 2011
Nancy Cherie McCollum
August 18, 2011
Schools gamble for revenue share
August 16, 2011
Nancy Cherie McCollum
August 18, 2011

Let’s step back and look at our lives. Where do we spend our time? People who have studied our movements tell us the following:


If God gave us 70 years of life, we would spend about 24 years sleeping, 14 years working, 8 years of entertainment, 6 years eating, 5 years in transportation, 4 years in conversation, 3 years in education, 3 years reading and 3 years watching television. This may vary from person to person.


If we went to church every Sunday and prayed five minutes every morning and night, we would be giving God five months of our lives. Is that asking too much of a person to dedicate five months of our 70 years? It seems that would be a minimum to give to a loving God who created us and loves us and wants a relationship with us for all eternity.

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching us by surprise. I was ordained 47 years ago and it seems like yesterday that I was assigned to my first parish at St. Joseph in Chauvin. As we keep busy, the years continue to move on and before you know it, I am in the winter of my life.


Where did all the years go? How did I get here so fast? I remember seeing older people throughout the years and thinking that those days were far off. The winter of my life was so distant to me that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.


But here I am. I’m moving slower but I’m moving. I have faced the fact that I am a senior citizen but I still have value, not from what I do, but because I am loved by a God who “called me out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Pet. 2:9)

The Almighty is still blessing me with life, and the ability to serve others. So with Divine Help I continue to use the gifts that God has given me to the best of my ability. I am limited in what I can do, but many options are still available to me.

I will never give up living as long as I can have a sound mind and relatively good health. When God gives us gifts, we are expected to use them for the betterment of others. I will continue to use my gifts for God and others. I know that if I opt for the rocking chair, it’s all over. That’s not an option.

I know my time on earth is relatively short. I have no idea when the Lord will come for me but also know this: I want to live fully until that time comes. I want to let go of anything that keeps me living in the past, any resentment or hurt that I have experienced. I want to forgive and be forgiven.

When my life is over, I want to be welcomed into the arms of my loving God and wait for my loved ones to come when their winter is over too. I want to be able to enjoy the Divine Presence and discover God’s creation. There is so much to do. It will take an eternity to take in all that the Most High has prepared for us.

So, if you are not in your winter yet, it will be here before you know it. Besides, you have no guarantees that you will see all the seasons of your life. So, live for the Lord today and be the most loving person you can possibly be.

Author Leo Buscaglia once said, “Life is God’s gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to God. Make it a fantastic one.”