How Much Time Do You Have?

Remember when we were young (WAY back there) 😉  we assumed we’d have all the time in the world? In fact, time just couldn’t move fast enough when Christmas was coming, or summer vacation, or our wedding, or our baby. Seems like it’s a different story now. At least it was for Megan.

Several years ago I invited Megan, a delightful young single mother, to our small group of neighbor ladies. I always closed the time together with a prayer. Sadly, she told me later that she really didn’t want to come anymore because we were “too religious.”

We still kept in touch, and remained friends. And when I was seriously ill, she offered to help…what a blessing! Megan and her daughter had a special place in my heart, and I prayed for them often.

Last year she began her battle with cancer.

I rarely saw her after that, but continued to send her loving notes of encouragement, and cheery gifts via Amazon. I could tell when I’d walk past her house that things weren’t going well. 

A few weeks ago, her sister told me she went on hospice that day, but there was no timeline. I went home and just wept. And prayed even more fervently for Megan and her family.

I gathered a gift basket for her, including a special note to Megan, and the book “Goodbye for Now.” I hoped that she and her family could find some helpful, practical things in it, to prepare for what was ahead, and to help after she had passed. It also was rich with comforting scriptures, and a simple explanation of God’s love for us, and an invitation to receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I figured that would be the last I’d hear from her.

To my surprise, the next day on my front door I found a sweet thank you note from Megan! She drew little hearts, and expressed appreciation for all the love and kindness I’d shown her. And also that the book had already been a help, especially the practical parts. She ended with:

“I think the spiritual will come with time.”

I was beyond elated! A window of hope! And I continued to pray even more.

Then I asked myself, Is she putting off getting right with God thinking she’ll have plenty of time?

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I never heard from her again. Two weeks later she was gone. 

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It pains my heart every time I walk past her house. And I continue to pray for her family. I’ll never know what took place between Megan and God in those final two weeks. But I’m so thankful that I was able to share the good news with her, and that she expressed some level of openness to it. 

And yet I wonder…how much time does each of us really have?