Certainly I’m not the first that’s ever penned that phrase. But gosh it can easily help us put things in perspective. If anything it makes us take inventory of ourselves. We rush to take an introspective view of what we’ve done with our time on earth. But it only happens when our world turns upside down.

I had traveled to the flatlands of West Texas in an unexpected whirlwind tour Saturday. I bid a tearful adieu to one of my best friends in the evening and set about to find a place to stay in Lubbock. Up to now, everything had been a gamble – especially finding a rental car. The last company I inquired had one. Needless to say, I gave in to my stubbornness and paid four times the price for a hotel room.

About 11 pm I checked into to my Southwest flight to Houston for Sunday Sept 25. Something went terribly wrong. SWA had me in Houston at 1 AM on the 25. It had routed me through Denver. I had to cancel. American Air had one leaving at 6:30 am arriving in Houston at 10 AM. Problem was, it would land at Bush and my car was parked at Hobby. I took the flight anyway. Just another problem on top of the other gambles I had taken. A one-way flight to Houston from Lubbock at midnight Saturday is $800. What choice did I have?

I leave my hotel at 4:45 AM to the Lubbock Airport. Our flight was slated for a 6:30 AM departure. We finally leave at 7 am landing in DFW at 8 am. My flight to Houston leaves at 8:45. Problem I had was I had to jump trains. I made my gate at 8:37 just as the plane door was about to close. I sure wasn’t taking any introspective view of my life at the moment. All I could think is, ” I CAN’T MISS THIS FLIGHT – I HAVE TO DRIVE TO OKLAHOMA MONDAY at 4 AM!”

The point to all this is life and the world around me doesn’t care about my fractured heart and it surely won’t stop just because I want it to – even for just a minute. Fortunately or unfortunately, I’m not alone. So many people are in the same boat.

I had been on a good streak attending church 2 consecutive Sundays. But at least I flew close to Him today. Close enough to say “Death is a part of life.”

As I write this nearly at 8:30 pm Sunday. I’m soon to turn in. My friend is on his last hours. No longer coherent of his surroundings. I moan and whine about money lost. Certainly this puts things in perspective.

My good friend I tearfully bid a heartfelt farewell. I do find solace that I trust in your judgement having been saved. God is calling you home but we still want you here.

It may have seemed an inconvenience to piece together a fast trip, but I truly did it out of love for you and our friendship. I am happy you’ll be with your brother and mother. And it’ll be up to me to see you up there on day.