it's too short.

i scrolled through facebook this morning and immediately got that pit in my stomach.

friend after friend had posted about a mutual friend we all went to high school with, and his tragic death late last night.

i stood with tears in my eyes.

were we super close?
no.
but it doesn't hurt any worse, because i still have to say, "yea, i knew him."

i read the newspaper article, and cried harder when i saw the number 24 by his name, and 25 by his friends.

24 years old.

i went to his facebook shortly after reading the article, and saw his post from sunday and i couldn't help but smile.
"Happy Easter everyone... Lets not forget what this holiday is all about. Before you eat or go to bed remember to pray giving thanks to god for sending his only son to die for our sins and rise from that tomb. #jesuslovesyouevenifyoudontbelieve"

thank you Jesus.

does that post make it any easier? not really.
but it helps a little.

this is the second accident that's happened in our town this week that's been certifiably classified as a tragic and freak accident. i can't help but think God is quietly reminding me us that life...is way too short.

our days here on earth are numbered. and there's only one Person who knows that number.

that facebook status gives me so much hope that while he was here on earth, he made a difference. his voice was heard, and seeing what others are writing about him now, solidify that fact. he stood out. he made a difference.
and even though we haven't talked since high school, i'm thankful that one day we'll see each other again in heaven.

i'm so reminded today that our lives have got to mean something.
because when it's done...we don't get to come back and try it all again.

this is it. 

we've got this one shot to make His name known, and live a life that's full.
full of love.
full of laughter.
full of chasing dreams.
full of serving others.
full of Jesus.

i'm wondering what i've done up until this point in my life. how have i spent these 24 years i've been given.
if i had that conversation today in front of that gate, would He look down and say, "well done good and faithful servant."
or would i have some explaining to do?

i don't really want to think about the second option. i honestly think i'm somewhere in the middle.

it sucks (for lack of a better term) that it takes instances like this to make us really value the life we've got. because if we're being honest here, i didn't really think about it yesterday. or the day before. or the day before that.
i thank God for a lot of things, but looking at my prayers lately "my life" hasn't been one of them.

i'm thankful today Jesus. 

i'm also really sad. 

and confused. 

because no matter how happy i am that he's in a far 

better place than any of us down here, 

i still don't get why that number next to his name 

couldn't have been 99. 

the saying "life is short" should be tattooed on every persons forehead. just so we don't forget.

because it really, really is.
incredibly short.

we have so little time on this earth to do what He's called us to do. this amazing young man was given 24 years. do we all wish it was longer? of course. but i'm prayerful that while he was here, God gave him a plan and he ran with it.

i'm sorry for not mentioning the name, which would have made it a smoother read, but it's out of respect to his family. which i am praying for so bad right now. along with the other two families involved. 

i'm thankful for the reminder, and wish it didn't come in this form. but we've all got a short amount of time, and a lot to do.