How do you measure a life, how do you sum up a life, all the choices and decisions that litter the path we have taken, what is note worthy and life altering? What is it, that makes up one’s life? From the moment one is conceived to the moment our earthly life is over, what stands out in the day to day activities that becomes the bedrock of a life; does anyone want to know what drives a life or brings meaning to a life? I never knew Lanell; but, I know her son, Wes. We met through work; a shared experience of caring for loved ones as they aged; and sadly, as what made them slowly faded away; as their mind deteriorated faster than their body.
Lanell enjoyed traveling around this great country, seeing God’s handiwork, seeing the beauty that made these sites become National Parks, some of the same sites we might have visited. There are some really beautiful places out west. Looking at the Grand Canyon, amazed at majestic snow covered mountains, watching the waves crash against the Rocky coast, staring up at the redwoods, these all remind me of the family trips taken in the years past,and how God’s handiwork declares his glory! Life is not about how many rocks you stack up, nor is it about your social media status or your impact on civilization. No, your life is not measured by earthly standards but by what you did with what God has given you. Look around, see what is going on in the world, sure there are a lot of scientific advances, great achievements, but there is a darker side, depression, oppression, apathy. Just look at news, there are a lot of people hurting and needing help. I don’t have an easy solution, I just know that God is putting circumstances in our lives to point to Him, to draw people closer to Him. Our lives should be based on love, compassion, forgiveness. In the end, everyone will see God, what matters is this: will God see you as His child or will He not? Lanell has made her choice, she will enter into His rest, embraced by the loving arms of Jesus, a life lived with hope and love, treasures stored up, peace beyond all measure, that is a life well lived.