Don't Learn The Hard Way

My step-grandpa passed away recently and his funeral was this past Saturday. Every time someone I'm close to, or even just someone I know in some way, shape or form passes on, it really makes me look at how I treat those closest to me. Do I neglect time with my family? Do I take them for granted?

I had to learn the hard way about all these things just over three years ago in North Dakota. It was at that time, during a family reunion, that my grandma had a brain aneurism and died. It was at this time that I realized that I took for granted the time I had with her. I was filled with remorse and regret, wishing I had just a little more time. The Lord revealed to me a few things during this time that I thought I would share with you:

1) Don't take your loved ones for granted

2) If there is someone you need to tell you love them, do it now

3) If there is a change you need to make in your life, do it now

Here's the thing: None of us know when our time is up, or when a loved one's time is up. So cherish the time you have with your family and friends. Let them know you love them, that they're important to you. And even in your own life, if something is holding you back from God, get rid of it! Make that change! You may never have the opportunity to if you don't do it now.

It's all really simple. Since this happened, I've tried little things just to spend more time with my family. I do my best to go to my other grandma's every Monday and just spend a few hours with her. Nothing too exciting, watching tv and eating lunch, but it's time WITH her. Find those ways you can cherish your loved ones and be with them. Don't wait until it's too late and you are filled with regret.

- Sean Fryer

Self Check-Up

Almost 1 1/2 years ago I had the incredible opportunity to go on a missions trip to North Africa to share the Gospel in an Islamic country through the game of basketball. On the way up there, our trip leader Trent Gamble gave us 5 questions to pray and consider about our spiritual walk. I was just looking through some of my journal entries and came across them along with my answers and noticed that through praying about these and realizing some of my shortcomings, God has since done a work in my life and my answers are different now.

Why do I bring that up? Not to say that I'm this unholy, ungodly person who needs so much work (even though I do), BUT to say that we never really stop growing in our faith and that we always have something else to work on. My hope and prayer for my own life, along with any other believer, is that I can truly say "Today I am closer to God than I was yesterday!" And I don't want to say this in an ashamed way, but in a way that I know day by day I am growing in Him.

So here are those 5 questions that I was asked. I would challenge you to look at these every few months, weeks, or even days, and see where you can grow in your walk with our Lord.

1.Where do I need to grow in my Spiritual character? Galatians 5:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:5
2. What Spiritual discipline do I want to develop more?
3. What has the Lord been speaking to me in the Word?
4. What area in my life do I need to focus more on?
5. What is the biggest hindrance to my growth or to the witness of God's power?

- Sean Fryer