What Difference Does a Day Make?

Yesterday I gathered with the family and friends of a true Princess that has gone home to be with her Prince, Jesus. Today in church, someone asked me if I was close to Colleen. I stopped for a moment, trying to decide how to answer that truthfully. Finally she rephrased the question, "She wasn't in your inner circle?" "I said no, but I really loved her." I met Colleen about 13 years ago. We were two single moms who attended the same church, lived in the same neighborhood and had sons in the same grade at Parkway Elementary. We became involved in the same ministries at church over the years and had spent time visiting, sharing life experiences and laughing for sure but it felt like when asked if I was close to her, it would be bragging to say yes. Colleen had been sick for a few years but I really believed her illness, while impacting her quality of life, wouldn't shorten it therefore needn't have a huge impact on my relationship with her. "She'll be around," I assured myself. Over the years I witnessed Colleen doing exactly what God asks us to do: love him and love others. This truth about Colleen was beautifully illustrated at her celebration of live by Pastors Brad and Sue Bramlet and by family and friends who shared their stories and their hearts. She truly loved her sons and proved that with every hour she worked, every prayer that she prayed and all of the days she lived,her priorities in order. One of the most precious ways she showed her love to me was when my mother was in the hospital, dying of brain cancer.Colleen worked in the lab at the hospital. On her lunch hour, instead of taking a break, she came and sat with my mom almost daily. Her face was one my mom looked forward to seeing--a bright spot in her day. I have learned that she did this for many people. After listening to people share about her life yesterday, and thinking about who she really is, I realized two things. It is possible to go through each day with a positive attitude no matter how much your reality demands otherwise and that no day should be wasted. From my perspective, this is how Colleen lived. Her life wasn't easy. If anyone had reason to complain, it could have been her, but she didn't. And I truly can't remember her ever speaking negatively about anyone or any situation. Her good friend Kim nailed it when she said, "When I grow up, I want to be like Colleen." I am taking this to heart. I want to really internalize that is does not make life better to speak out negative words. And I am purposefully focusing on not wasting another day. Now "not wasting a day" for me no longer translates into going as hard as I can and staying as busy as possible. It simply means learning to live a life that makes loving God and loving people PRIORITY ONE. Not speaking out negativity doesn't make one a Pollyanna. It's a sign of a mature follower of Christ. I am excited to seek this inner change yet it intimidates and scares me. I believe though that it's only way to travel, so here I go. When I fall, I will look up, dust off and keep walking. Maybe you are already walking this journey and can encourage me along the way. If so, please do :) If you feel like you are wasting days, how would your life be different if you made it your focus to do what we are all called to do...Love God and love others? What does that mean to you? How would that look?