In the last few months, two good 60 year old friends have had heart attacks.  Both of them had 100% blockages in the left anterior descending artery (LAD).  These kind of heart attacks are called “widowmakers” because they can lead to death if the person isn’t treated right away.  Our friend Tom got immediate treatment and is doing pretty well.  Our friend Cathy didn’t recognize the symptoms quite as quickly and had significant heart damage.  She is gradually getting stronger.

Tom and I aren’t used to our friends having heart attacks.  We would say that both of these friends are in better shape than we are.  Cathy had just been mountain climbing in Italy and had her heart attack the day after getting back from her trip.  So these heart attacks make us pause and remember that there aren’t any guarantees in life.  None of is is guaranteed a tomorrow on this earth.  All we have is today, so we need to make sure that we are living each day to the glory of God.

It is so easy to take the future for granted.  We go on as we have, making our plans and expecting to have years to enjoy them.  There are days we are bored and can’t wait for the day to be over.  We spend hours of our lives looking forward to some future event or just trying to get through today.

These heart attacks are a wake-up call for us.  God gives us the present moment as a present.  We have to find the blessings in the present moment and be careful not to complain or to live for some future moment.  Now is all we have.  We need to make the most of it.

I know this post is full of cliches.  But they are cliches for a reason.  Make the most of today.  Don’t put off telling someone you love them or care about them.  You may not have a tomorrow to enjoy.  Each moment is a precious gift:  be thankful.