Moments Matter

Last Sunday at the h2gathering, a 24 year old woman came into the doors of the middle school auditorium with her father. It wasn't her first time there, but she didn't know a lot of people and tended to be a little shy. She had been going through a rough time lately with her health, but was determined to return to the h2gatherings after a friend encouarged her. This Sunday she sang, listened to the word as it was preached, and as quietly as she came, she left. But as she and her dad got to the door, she paused and asked him, “Should we wait to say hi to Pastor Mark?" Then they both walked out the doors and went home. Looking back, I couldn't help thinking about the people sitting near her or the people she would have walked by as she left. Did they notice her? Did they stop to talk to her? Did they ask her what her name was? How many opportunities do we miss because we are more preoccupied with being seen than seeing, being blessed than blessing, and being loved than loving? Well, next Sunday, you won’t see her there, and you won’t get a second chance with her... because on Tuesday morning, without warning, she died while having a seizure at home. Her father had made her breakfast, as he always did, and when he went into her room to serve her, he found her unresponsive. It breaks my heart seeing this dad grieve such a great loss. Now the good news is that she heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and responded.  So this Sunday, and each and every day... make it count. Stop and take notice, listen to, pray for, and offer hope to others because they matter, and you never know what life will bring. Let Hope Rise!