On A Serious Note

I stumbled upon a blog last night that got me thinking about what’s important in life. First, I was reading one of my favorite blogs, The Pioneer Woman. She has a book coming out February 2011 so I searched it on Amazon to see how much it will cost. Under the “customers who bought this item also bought” section, I saw a book titled “Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss & Love” by Matt Logelin. The book tugged at me so I clicked on it to read the summary.

Here’s the summary on Amazon:

Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. The pair settled together in Los Angeles and they had it all: the perfect marriage, a beautiful new home, and a baby girl on the way. But just twenty-seven hours after they welcomed Madeline into the world, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and instantly died, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited.

Faced with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt coped by returning to the small blog he had created to keep friends and family updated on Liz's pregnancy, which today has become a place for him to share with over a million curious readers the day to day of two lives bound by loss and love. But there is more to his story than just raising a daughter alone: Matt Logelin is an extraordinary human being. Having been sustained through tragedy by the kindness and generosity of strangers, he is now dedicated to helping others in difficult situations by reaching out and inspiring those facing loss or adversity.

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story punctuated by beautifully recollected-- and often humorous-- memories and anecdotes, TWO KISSES FOR MADDY unquestionably has something to offer any reader who has experienced grief, and has sought the courage to live again.

You can read his blog here.

The book isn’t out yet but it got me thinking about what’s truly important in life because life is too short. In this day and age, especially during the holiday season, it’s all about “stuff.” Having it all, having the best—trying to keep up with the Jones’s. TVs, cars, money, clothes, big houses, and beautiful furniture are just not important. You can’t take any of these materialistic things to heaven with you (my brother Adam and grandfather always say that).

Lately I’ve really wanted to finish decorating the house with new furniture and decorations thinking it will finally feel like a home. But that’s not true. That’s not what makes a home. It’s the people inside it. If my family is happy, I’m happy. If they’re healthy, I’m healthy. I want people to come into our house and not think “wow, you’re house looks great.” Although, that’s always nice. No, I want people to come into our house and feel the presence of the Lord. I need to constantly be reminded to strive to be more Christ-like everyday. It’s not easy.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

--1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

I want to teach Hudson and Brayden about what’s really important in life. I want them to grow up knowing Jesus is Lord so they depend on him because I won’t be here on earth forever. I want them to trust and lean of Him for all their needs. Sometimes I need to be reminded myself. We all do.

The greedy stir up conflict,

but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.

--Proverbs 28:25 (NIV)

Be thankful for what you have because life is too short to worry about the things you don’t have and can’t control.

Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. 

--Psalm 37:7 (NIV)