Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Friends,
I found this poem a few years ago that I had not seen before. It was published by Isle of Hope United Methodist Church in Savannah, Georgia. I have often thought of it when preparing to conduct a funeral. It is entitled, “How You Spend Your Dash.” The author is unknown.
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth, and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most was the dash (-) between those years (1930-2015).
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth . . . and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own: the cars, the house, the cash. What matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash!
So, think about this long and hard . . . Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down long enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way that other people feel; and be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
“I came that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10),
Bruce Jones, Pastor
Imagine Church
