"Was Today Worth Giving Away?"

Once upon a time, Satan called an end-of-the-fiscal-year meeting to go over the year’s results. He was not pleased, and he demanded to know what new strategies he could employ to guarantee success in moving humanity’s heart away from its Creator. Many strategies were suggested by finally one came forward that gained his attention: “We must convince the people of earth that they have a lot of time!” regnumchristi.org

Many times we become sloppy with our use of time. We throw away time because we really believe time will wait for us. Time can dull our senses since we’ve been through its seasons; we know so well its wheel that spins joy and sorrow, life and death. Certainly we’ll get another chance: children will stay young, health will remain vibrant; the simple joys will get attention when life gets better. What about regrets? We’ll tackle those later…much later. And then before we can catch our next breath, earthly time stops.

Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes.” How do we prepare for the moment of death? In many ways all of life, each moment, is a dress rehearsal for that final good bye. Life is a series of letting go until our last breath signals our final farewell. Jesus cautions us to be ready for the master who returns “during the middle of the night, or near dawn.” And here’s the incredible news. Be ready so the Master can serve you in eternal glory! “Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.”

An Indian Proverb reminds us of the fragility of life: “When the sun goes down at sunset, remember it will take a part of your life with it.” At the close of the day, we face the overarching question: “Was today worth giving away?” And at the close of our life, we will ask, “Was my life well spent?” Here’s a certitude. If we earnestly pray each day for the desire to align our will with His will, we’ll be mindful of His nearness and ready to take the leap when that door opens.

In the movie Meet Joe Black, a character named Bill, who has lived a life of integrity, prepares for death. In the final moments of Bill’s life, he asks “Should I be afraid?” The answer, “Not a man like you!” Let us live our day so, we, too, are deserving of such praise!

- Kathleen M. Sullivan ’82MA ’87PhD

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. ‘I’m glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,’ I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. ‘Where are you headed?’ I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
‘Chicago – to Great Lakes Base. We’ll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we’re being deployed to Iraq ‘

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be a couple of hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. ‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till we get to Chicago’ His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. ‘Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. ‘My son was a soldier in Iraq; it’s almost like you are doing it for him.’

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, ‘Which do you like best – beef or chicken?’
‘Chicken,’ I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. ‘This is your thanks.’

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. ‘I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, ‘I want to shake your hand.’

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain’s hand. With a booming voice he said, ‘I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. ‘It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.’

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a sandwich.
It seemed so little…

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to; ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of; ‘Up to and including my life.’

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.’

Prayer:
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they Protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.

Slow down. He’s waiting for you...

There was a small boy who when walking down the street one day found a bright copper penny. He was so excited that he found money and it didn’t cost him anything. This experience led him to spend the rest of his days walking with his head down, eyes wide open, looking for treasure. During his lifetime he found 296 pennies, 48 nickels, 19 dimes, 16 quarters, 2 half dollars and one crinkled dollar bill. For a total of $13.96.

He got money for nothing. Except that he missed the breathless beauty of 31,369 sunsets, the colorful splendor of 157 rainbows, the fiery beauty of hundreds of maples nipped by autumn’s frost. He never saw white clouds drifting across blue skies, shifting into various wondrous formations. Birds flying, sun shining, and the smiles of a thousand passing people are not a part of his memory. author unknown, inspirationalstories.com/7/791.html

Ever feel like that little boy. Head bent down burdened with trivial things hoping to find that copper penny…for nothing? It is so easy to lose our way. So easy to sacrifice what really matters for those busy moments. When this happens, we find ourselves living for the next moment; we miss the everyday miracle because our eyes are cast down the road. Author Chuck Gallozzi wisely counsels, “Remember, no matter what the future has in store, it cannot take away what we have in the present moment. The only thing that can steal it is our own inattention.”

There are ample Christ moments waiting for you today. Is it the array of colors beginning to brush across the earth? Is it a child who delights in your presence? Maybe it’s a hug from a spouse? Perhaps a meaningful project that celebrates your gifts. Could it be watching your kids practice a sport? Or maybe it’s the wag of your dog’s tail. Your entire life has lead you to these Christ moments. We need to give Jesus a chance to speak to us. Slow down. He’s waiting for you. Kathleen M. Sullivan, `82MA `87PhD