The Flame Within

A month ago, my family and I were heading to the coast of GA to spend a week on the ocean.  We were driving on a busy interstate, nearing the GA coast and eagerly anticipating our arrival on Jekyll Island (a familiar family vacation destination), when we were {scared to death}.  As we drove along on the interstate, keeping up with traffic at a healthy speed, this two door Ford Focus came out of nowhere, estimated speed 130mph .  Our family van in the far left lane, as we approached another vehicle to pass in the right lane.  Out of nowhere and certainly without warning, this Ford whizzed up on our right almost hitting the bumper of the car in front of us.  HIs intention, was to get in front of us and each car driving on the interstate that day.  With less than a car widths distance between our van and the car in front of us, the little Ford suddenly swerved in front of us causing me (the driver) to break hard, jolting each one of us in the car.  As we all gasped out loud, hearts beating wildly in our chests, and our amygdala’s fully triggered by the near death experience; Thoughts and emotions began overtaking my soul.  All of a sudden, I opened my mouth with tears running down my face and handed out the lecture of all lectures to my four children.  {Always turning momentous occasions into a spiritual lesson}

“Each one of us in this car could have met Jesus today, do you realize that?  This was a close call and God  {thankfully} was not ready to take us to be with him in Heaven today.  As a Christian counselor, I hear people say all the time, I’ll get my heart right with Jesus another day, maybe next month or next year.  People are always assuming they will live forever!  We are NOT promised tomorrow or even today… we must always be ready to meet Jesus.”

Looking back at the children I know are awaiting spiritual decisions… I looked into their eyes, via the rearview mirror, asking them directly…

“What about that baptism you’ve been holding off?”

“Do you know for sure if you were to die today, that you’d be in Heaven with Jesus?”

“Kiddos… Are your relationships strong?  Have you made sure to tell the people you love, how important they are in your life?  We are {NEVER} promised tomorrow!  We {MUST} be ready everyday to meet the Lord, in case it were our time to depart from this world.”

As tears fell frown my eyes and my nervous system worked overtime to return to {normal} after the close call…  I looked back at my kiddos and observed serious contemplation written all over their faces.  My lecture continued…

“I want each on of you to know how very much you are loved!  I love you!  Daddy loves you!  Most importantly, God loves you!  I’m so glad we prayed for safety before leaving our home this morning and let’s take a moment to thank God for protecting us.”

After my husband prayed… We turned the radio onto the oldies, the kiddos began playing their games, and slowly returned to the relationship dynamic in the van;  This momma’s heart and mind remained deep in thought for several hours after the event.

What about you my friend?  Are you ready to meet Jesus?  If your time on Earth were to come to an end today, would you be spiritually ready to face the eternal judge?  Are there relationships you need to mend?  People who need to hear your feelings?  Are you putting off a decision for the Lord?

Take it from my family’s {scared to death} moment…  We are not promised this afternoon, tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year!

Today is the day!

Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

James 4:14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Blessings, Your Friend Crystal Ridlon LMHCA