Seize the Moment: Serve one another

Erma Bombeck was one of my favorite writers. When she was dying of cancer she scripted what would be considered some of her best advice which she titled "If I Had My Life To Live Over."

This is what she wrote: "I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.'

"There would have been more 'I love you's.' More 'I'm sorry's.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute ... look at it and really see it ... live it and never give it back."

Erma's advice is profound, yet it makes me wonder: do I seize the moment? Do I operate with unselfish motives? Do I serve enough? How many sacrifices do I make for not only those in my family but for those in my community?

As our example, Christ served. His entire life (and death) was one of sacrifice. I find it interesting that Jesus never spoke of retirement.

There were no illustrations of life on the beach ... or the golf course ... or wherever we picture our golden years. It was all about giving.

Saint Paul's advice in Galatians 5:13 allows us no out. "Serve one another," he writes. It doesn't continue with "if you have time" or "provided you have the extra cash" or "unless you're not in the mood."

The Good Neighbor Blitz is in full swing in Bourbon County, yet the organizers are desperate for more workers to sign up.

Can you rake? Sweep? Paint? Then you can help. Do you have one hour free? One day possibly? Then you can make a difference.

Forty homes in Fort Scott will have a facelift because of volunteers who are sacrificially giving their time and talents to help their neighbors. What an incredible opportunity to "seize the moment" while serving one another at the same time!