John 13:34 says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. “

I had a brief argument with my father over the holiday season. I remember saying something like, “Yeah dad, spend your whole life trying to prove a point to your children then.” Boy, you should have seen how smug I was driving back home. I just knew I had let him have it and I was 100% right about what I said.

Now, sitting here almost a month later, the Lord revealed to me that I was doing the very words I had accused him of. I was spending my time trying to prove a point to him! Not only that, but then the Lord let me see what it would be like if indeed I did spend the remainder of my dad’s life trying to prove a point instead of loving on him, talking to him, letting him know that I appreciate him. What would I do if my dad died before I had a chance to reconcile this? Was it worth it?
At the end of life, all those things seem so trivial – all the arguments, hurt and anger. Why do we esteem them to be such major issues while we’re living? Why are we so foolish?

I called my dad this morning to let him know I love him. I’m also going to make it a point to go visit him pretty soon.

At any rate, this all leads me back to John 13:34. How awesome God is. The command to love one another is just as important to the one loving as it is to the person receiving the love.

It is just as (if not more so) important to me to let my dad know that he’s loved and appreciated before he passes on as it is to him. “Give the flowers to the living” they say. I learned that last night and it has forever changed my perception.
Right or wrong, agree or disagree, apology or no apology, none of it will mount up to a hill of beans when they’re in the grave. What will matter is this: did you make the most of the time you had together or did you waste it away on nothing?

There are no do-overs and there are no get-backs. What you have, is right now.

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