Charlea Grey
That is why we try to live in the right way, so that God will be pleased with us while we live in our bodies and also when we no longer live in our bodies, after we have died. 2 Corinthians 5:9, English Bible for the Deaf
One ordinary Friday morning, we received the devastating news at work that a colleague had passed away unexpectedly. As the news spread through the office, I felt increasingly heartbroken. Just the day before, we had been exchanging e-mails about work.
A few days later, I was on my way to the office when a colleague, who was heading to the memorial service, convinced me to attend. The service turned out to be a celebration of her colourful life – her playful sense of humour, her incredible talent and creativity, her deep love for her husband and sons, her insight into people, and the wonderful colleague, friend, wife and mother she was.
As I drove away, my heart was still heavy with sorrow over the immense loss, but I was also filled with admiration for the beautiful words spoken about her. So many people attended that extra chairs had to be brought in. I suddenly regretted not having had the chance to get to know her better.
The thing about death is that it forces you to reflect on your own life, on what truly matters. In the end, it’s not about awards, important titles or achievements. Those are not the things people talk about or celebrate when someone is no longer here. It’s the other qualities, the ones that make people feel loved and seen, that inspire such beautiful tributes.
How will people remember me one day? Yes, it may seem sombre to think about it this way, but I was reminded again of the profound impact we can have on others. And now I ask myself: How do people experience me? How do my colleagues perceive me at work? How do my family and loved ones experience me? What are the things that linger in people’s minds after I leave a room?
Prayer: Lord, help me to embrace life and live it to the fullest. Help me to live in a way that allows me to have a positive impact on others. Amen.
Charlea Grey
Daarom probeer ons om só te lewe dat die Here tevrede sal wees met ons terwyl ons in ons liggame woon en ook wanneer ons nie meer in ons liggame woon nie. 2 Korintiërs 5:9, Bybel vir almal
Op 'n doodgewone Vrydagoggend kry ons by die werk die slegte nuus dat 'n kollega onverwags dood is. Soos wat die nuus deur die kantoor begin versprei, voel ek net meer en meer verslae. Ons het die vorige dag nog oor werkdinge e-posse gestuur.
Op 'n bloedige warm Woensdag is ek op pad kantoor toe, maar 'n kollega wat op pad is na die roudiens oortuig my om dit tog by te woon. Die roudiens is eerder 'n viering van haar kleurvolle lewe – haar prettige humorsin, haar verbysterende talent en kreatiwiteit, haar liefde vir haar man en seuns, haar mensekennis, die wonderlike kollega, vriendin, vrou en ma wat sy was.
Toe ek daar wegry was my hart steeds seer oor die geweldige verlies, maar ek het soveel bewondering gehad vir die mooi goed wat oor haar gesê is. Daar was so baie mense dat nog stoele ingedra moes word. Ek was sommer van voor af spyt dat ek haar nie beter geken het nie.
Die ding van die dood is dat dit 'n mens noop om weer bestekopname te doen oor jou eie lewe. Wat is werklik belangrik? Dis helaas nie pryse, belangrike titels en prestasies nie. Dís nie die dinge waaroor mense praat en wat hulle vier wanneer iemand nie meer hier is nie. Dis die ander eienskappe, die eienskappe wat mense geliefd en raakgesien laat voel, wat maak dat mense sulke mooi dinge sê.
Hoe sal mense my eendag onthou? Ja, dit klink dalk nou droewig om so daaroor te dink, maar ek het net weer eens besef hoe groot impak 'n mens op ander kan hê. En nou vra ek myself, hoe beleef mense my? Hoe sien mense my as ek op kantoor is? Hoe beleef my familie en geliefdes my? Wat is die dinge wat mense bybly as ek 'n vertrek verlaat?
Gebed: Here, help my om die lewe aan te gryp en voluit te leef. Help my ook om my lewe so te leef dat ek 'n positiewe impak op ander kan hê. Amen.
Charlea Grey
That is why we are not discouraged. Our bodies are dying, but God makes our spiritual life strong and new every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16, English Bible for the Deaf
Over the past few months, a particular trend has emerged on social media: I met my younger self for coffee. The idea is to imagine how a coffee date with your younger self would go and what you would tell them about how you’ve changed and grown over the years.
Imagine sitting down for coffee with a younger version of yourself. What stories would you share? What experiences would you testify to? And, most importantly, how would you feel about the things you tell your younger self? Are there regrets? Are there moments of pride?
There may be a few extra kilograms on your body, maybe some wrinkles or grey hairs. Can you say that you’ve taken care of your health or have you let yourself go?
Maybe you have your dream job or perhaps you don’t enjoy what you do at all.
Would you tell your younger self about the importance of a happy family and strong relationships, or would you have to admit that those once-special bonds have crumbled?
Are you comfortable with who you are? Far removed from the insecure teenager who sometimes felt bullied. Do you feel lonely or can you testify to having wonderful friends and colleagues who bring colour to your life?
Are you closer to God or much further from him than you were years ago? Can you tell your younger self that God has walked with you and that you have witnessed his love and grace? Can you reassure your younger self – who may have wondered and doubted about the future – that you are okay and at peace with the choices you’ve made? And if you feel disappointed about certain decisions or things that didn’t go as planned, have you picked yourself up again? Have you dusted yourself off and tried again?
Take a moment to reflect. What would your younger self love to hear? What would reassure and bring them joy?
Prayer: Lord, guide me in making decisions that draw me closer to you and help me live a life that my younger self would be proud of. Help me to see each day as a new opportunity to improve my life. Amen.
Charlea Grey
Daarom word ons nie moedeloos nie. Ons liggame is besig om te sterf, maar God maak ons geestelike lewe elke dag nuut. 2 Korintiërs 4:16, Bybel vir almal
Daar is die afgelope paar maande 'n spesifieke trend op sosialemedia: "I met my younger self for coffee." Die idee is dat jy jouself indink hoe 'n koffieafspraak saam met jou jonger self sou verloop en hoe jy dan vir jou jonger self vertel hoe jy deur die jare verander en gegroei het.
Sê nou maar net jy kon inderdaad gaan koffie drink saam met 'n jonger weergawe van jouself, wat sal jy kan oorvertel? Waarvan sal jy kan getuig? En dan natuurlik, hoe sal jy voel oor die dinge wat jy vertel? Is daar dinge waaroor jy spyt is? Waarop is jy trots?
Daar is dalk 'n paar ekstra kilogramme aan jou lyf, dalk 'n paar plooie of grys hare. Kan jy sê dat jy na jou gesondheid kyk, of het jy sommer net laat gaan?
Dalk het jy jou droomwerk? Of dalk geniet jy glad nie dit wat jy doen nie.
Vertel jy van 'n gelukkige gesin en sterk familiebande, of moet jy vir jou jonger self sê dat daai verhoudings wat eens so spesiaal was, nou verbrokkel het?
Is jy gemaklik met wie jy is? Ver verwyder van die tiener wat onseker voel en met tye geboelie is nie? Voel jy eensaam, of kan jy getuig van wonderlike vriende en kollegas wat jou lewe inkleur?
Is jy nader aan God, of veel, veel verder van Hom as jare terug? Kan jy vir jou jonger self sê dat God die pad saam met jou stap en dat jy kan getuig van sy liefde en genade? Kan jy jou jonger self, wat dalk gewonder en getwyfel het oor die toekoms, gerusstel en sê dat jy oukei is en dat jy oukei is met die besluite wat jy gemaak het? En as jy dalk teleurgesteld voel oor sekere besluite en dinge wat nie verloop het soos jy gehoop het nie, het jy weer opgestaan? Het jy die stof afgeskud en wéér probeer?
Gaan dink 'n bietjie. Wat sou jou jonger self graag wou hoor? Wat sal jou jonger self gerusstel en gelukkig maak?
Gebed: Here, lei my om besluite te maak wat my nader aan U bring en my kan help om 'n lewe te leef waarop my jonger self sou trots wees. Help my om elke dag as 'n nuwe kans te sien om my lewe te verbeter. Amen.