We have been talking about the Five most common regrets of life, that Nurse Bronnie Ware, has compiled over the years. The article by Bronnie Ware, first appeared on inspirationandchai.com via @ Real Farmacy. This next one is one we have talked about in the past. However, this statement she makes is one that may be surprising to some of you. She said this. "This came from every male patient that I nursed." Read that again. "This came from every male patient that I nursed." EVERY? She went on to say this."They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."
Again she said "All of the men." Used to be, people would work 9-5 Monday through Friday. They would go out and do whatever it was that would supply them with the money to live. The Wife and Mother, would stay home to raise the Children. Then after Dad got home, they would all sit around the table and have dinner. Talking, sharing their day's events. Then came the Weekends, where they would spend time as a family.
Used to be that the three most important things to most average Families in America, were Faith, Family, Freedom. They would fight to the death to defend all three. Divorce was done, but was shunned. Frowned upon. Not widely accepted. For the most part. Most followed God's Family plan.. Man, head of house. Wife, head of Children. Husbands and Wives saw Marriage as something for life. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." {Gen 2:24} and "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." {Mark 10:6-9}
There was something else that was not so predominate. Government involvement in our lives. It was a pretty simple concept. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." {2 Thessalonians 3} If something happen, and due to no fault of your own, the Man could not work, or the Man died, then it was up to Family, Friends, and Church, to help out. Not the Government. There was no Welfare. There was no Unemployment. No Food Stamps. There was nothing. Not really. Not like today when over HALF the American Population collect some sort of Government Assistance. If you did back then, it was a cause of shame.
Then something happened. Work started expanding. Instead of 5 pm now some would be asked to work later. Then "Shift Work" came into being. Do you work 8 to 4 or 4 to 12? Then, why stop at 12. Lets stay open 24-7. Got to make the money. Hey, why not work on Saturdays? It was a trend going so quickly that it ran into the "Blue Law" head first.
The "Blue Laws" were said to have been started in Colonial Virginia in the 1620s. Similar laws intended to keep the Sabbath {Which they saw as Sunday at the time} Holy, were soon adopted elsewhere in America. This meant, all forms of trade or commerce were outlawed. No public entertainment or meetings were permitted Of course, this did not include going to Church. Even travel on Sunday was banned, except for emergencies. This was done to prevent, outside influences from taking time away from? Say it with me, Faith, Family, Freedom.
Then some started asking, Why? Why not open on Sundays? Everyone is off. Perfect day to make more money. One stayed open. The "Laws" were ignored. Then another said, Hey why are they open? Look at the money they are making. So they started opening. Now we even have Banks open seven days a week. Money is becoming people's God, Banks people's Churches. Stuff is what people crave. The only way to get Stuff, is to have the money you need to get it. "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." {Proverbs 23} New King James Version says "4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!"
God does not want to you worry. Jesus taught us this fact, that as a Child of God, put our trust in Him, He is faithful and just, to meet our every need. In...
Luke 12:
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.You know the saying, "You can't take it with you?" This is a Biblical Principle as well. Being a Biblical Principle, makes it an absolute truth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Timothy 6:
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.There are many people that have "made it." That are "Well off." Many with Riches that most can only dream of. But in the end? What do they have? Remember the conversation with the Rich and Famous Person?
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
"I love traveling the world. I love meeting people. I love walking into the spotlight, hearing tens of thousands chanting my name. I love when I hear this or that little kid, wants to be, just like me. But you know what? I was there when MY kids were born. I was there when they Graduated High School. But I missed the first word. I missed the first step. I did not even know what their favorite color was. I blinked, and all of a sudden, they were real people. Living their lives. I was so busy being "me" that I totally missed everything."
If you had it to do over again, would you?
"Sad truth? Yup. You can not understand the power of fame and the lure of wealth. I guess I'm happy that they are well off. That they will never have to struggle. They have no clue what it means to worry about bills. My Wife, well, second, has to only worry about doing things she wants to do. I have a pretty good life."
But the one thing they never did have? You.
Silence...........
Now that you are getting up there, how long will you be trying to do this?
"I don't know. Can't really walk too well anymore. Take Pills and probably drink a bit too much to numb the pain. But I do not know anything else..This is who I am."
You know, when that spot light goes out, and the people go home, and this person is sitting alone in the Hotel room, what do you think they are thinking about? What do you think the people are thinking about? What is more important? Does it matter? In Pro Wrestling, Football, even Baseball, you can be a hero. You can be worshiped. But when you can no longer "go?" All those "fans" will walk away and go to someone else. The "Game" will go on. In Entertainment? When you fade away, or go out in a Blaze of Glory, someone else will step up. In Business, when your Company stops being profitable, another will take it's place. Just the way of the world. But YOU remain you. The real you. What is truly import to you?
As a Child of God, we must cherish His gifts. You are a gift from God. Your life is. Your Spouse is. Your Kids most definitely are. Each day is a gift. Do you travel through it at the speed of life? Or do you slow down and notice everything. Truly experience Life itself.
"Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I know. I know. I do not understand. I understand that you feel you have to work two jobs just to meet your needs. I get it. But let me ask you this. Are you trusting in yourself, and your abilities to meet your needs, or are you trusting in God to be true to His Word, that all your needs will be met?
Do not let, overworking yourself to the point you miss life itself, be one of your end of life regrets. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
The article by Bronnie Ware, first appeared on inspirationandchai.com via @ Real Farmacy
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