51 minutes...

Have you ever wondered if your life is making a difference?

My son's second grade teacher had a granddaughter born last Monday, September 23rd.
Listen to this announcement in our local newspaper on Thursday, September 26th...

Savannah Jane Houselog, baby daughter of Andy and Beth Houselog, of Dubuque, was taken into eternal happiness at 9:45 am on Monday, September 23, 2013, after gracing the world with her presence for 51 minutes.

My iWitness...
I was getting dressed for work yesterday morning and Julie dropped the obituary section of the paper on my lap and said, "If you want a really good cry, read this." I read the opening paragraph and started to gasp for my breath as tears overfilled my eyes and began racing down my cheek finding the finish line at my chin.

The obituary went on to explain that at the routine 20 week ultrasound checkup some medical complications were noticed and explained to Andy and Beth that should this baby go to full term the likely outcome would be a very short life. Andy and Beth decided to go full term. Along the way they took Savannah to a Red Sox game, a hot air balloon ride, motorcycle, boat and hayrides. Evidently, Savannah loved DQ blizzards, Dove chocolates and adored the voices of her big sister and big brother reading to her as she would kick her legs in the delight of their voices. She used to kick so much that the older sister nicknamed Savannah, "Bumblebee."

Savannah changed the world in which she lived.
Her beautiful face, her soft cry and her legacy of unconditional love to her family will never be forgotten.
The obituary went on to declare the great faith of the Houselog family as they joyfully shared how Savannah was greeted at heaven's gates by her big sister Sylvia and her great grandparents.
The obituary ended with these words of incredible perspective...

"We would rather have
had one breath of her hair,
one kiss of her mouth, one
touch of her hand, than an
eternity without it."

Let me close with the same question I opened with...
"Have you ever wondered if your life is making a difference?"

Whether you have been alive for...
51 years
51 months
51 days
or even
51 minutes...

The answer is a definite, "YES!"
If no one has told you lately, then let me have the honors...

God has knitted you together with great care and with greater love.
The way your eyes smile,
The tenderness of your touch,
The uniqueness of your voice,
The strength of your hugs,
The creativity of your mind,
The love of your heart,
The humor of your laughter,
Oh dear child of God...
I would rather have a moment of any of those things,
than an eternity without it...

And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90. 12)