Life is FLASHING

Today, I am sharing a memory from a couple summers before all things COVID-19 when LIFE began FLASHING before my eyes.

(dateline: 8/13/2018)
Life Flashing before my eyes.. 
In 7 short days I have experienced highs and lows, laughter and tears, life and death.  I know most of all of us  have weeks like this, but  last  week was  my turn.

On Tuesday August 9th my Aunt Marie passed away unexpectedly at the age of 87. She was very special to me, Marie (known as Babe) was loved and will  be missed of course by family and friends.  We all grieve and are sad for our loss, but celebrate her arrival to Heaven where she is  reunited with family,  friends, and  most importantly JESUS. 

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This is the paradox of the Christian experience where our existence moves from life on Earth, to death, then to Eternity in Heaven for those who love the Lord.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelations 21:4

Then Friday morning August 10th my long awaited (9+ months) expected third granddaughter Reagan Holland Larson arrived.  SHE'S A KEEPER!

​This of course is the best kind of  news, and  holding her  the following  morning was a perfect  healing touch for my grieving heart.

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BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.. Over these same 7 days my wife's family were in town for a reunion.  There are six siblings in the Laun family.. ages 83, 82, 79, 77, 60, while my wife is the itsy bitsy BABY at  age 57. 

​All six siblings were here with  their spouses along with a smattering of kids and grandkids.  Activities included sight seeing, a picnic,  paddle boat ride on the Mississippi, and a (heart attack free )baseball game of sorts with players ranging from age 6 through 77. 

This was  a great time of  celebrating family and heritage. All are doing well and actually still like each other.   - Who knew families still like each other these days. -

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​Health of all siblings is good,  but if some nefarious sort targeting senior citizens robbed us the highlight of their booty would selling our hearing aides on the black market.  The only negative me spending that  many days with Mary's family is that I ate waaay too much. I know, I don't have to eat so much, but.. mind your own business.

So there you  have it, what a week. Life Flashing before my eyes? .. or as Mufasa from the Lion King explains.. This  is the Circle of Life.  

This Life is messy, including roller coaster moments wanting you  to exit the ride, or 'hurl'.  From birth through the family reunions to that day until this ride stops .. this  life is  a  gift from God.

If you don't know Jesus, if you don't have a relationship with God.. now is the time to say YES to Him. Say YES acknowledging Him as savior of your life, and giving Him the proper place in your life.  This life is flashing and will be gone before you know it.. then eternity. 

I pray we all choose wisely, it matters eternally. 


For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

May God bless each of  your lives  with joy in your journey. Remember always to love God, enjoy the big and little things of this life, love &care for others with the promise of someday Heaven for those who love Him.  Because this life is FLASHING and then in the blink of an eye .. eternity.

​Jeff

​update: Now 2 years later and life is still messy but good. My now 2 year old beautiful granddaughter Reagan has a smile that melts me. All my sibling-inlaws are doing well, and God is so good even in this most ugly of years 2020.

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