The Dash by Linda Ellis

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

©1996 Linda Ellis

<<< Click Here to Read What Inspired Linda to write The Dash

Heaven

Leighton lost his grandfather yesterday. Granddaddy Mac was 93 years old. I am so thankful that we got to see him 2 weeks ago for his birthday! Leighton told me yesterday that after he got the call from his dad that it was going to be soon, he dreamed about Granddaddy. He said it was a vivid dream. So vivid that he wrote about it in his journal. How amazing is that? Leighton went to Savannah yesterday and spent some time with him and got to tell him goodbye.

Leighton said that the chaplain came and prayed with them. The chaplain said that they had talked before and he asked Granddaddy about the Lord and was reading some scriptures and that when he stopped, Granddaddy finished them. That makes my soul rejoice.

Last night at the dinner table we were talking to Mac and talking about how Granddaddy was going to heaven to be with Jesus. He asked about heaven and we told him how wonderful it is. No one hurts, no one is sad and everyone is happy because they are with Jesus. He said, "I want to go!" talk about the tears.........Leighton said, "well we aren't ready for you to go and only God knows when that will happen".

Heaven is not somewhere I am scared of anymore. I look forward to it. I can't wait. But, I am going to enjoy my time here on earth while I can. Enjoy my husband, my children, my family and my friends. Love more because He loves me and has blessed me beyond words.

transformation

The past couple of days I have just been in awe of my Lord. He just keeps reminding me of so many things. So, many things that it is hard to wrap my head around them. I feel like I need to write them down to remember them all. I don't want to forget. My memory has seemed to fade since I had children. I don't know if it is my ADD or what but I read it, I believe it and just can't remember everything.

Ok, I picked up 2 African American people the other day and took them to where they needed to go. I went to pay for Lawson's school and the woman was asking for food. I walked out behind her and she asked me to give her and her "friend" a ride. She then proceeded to tell me he just got out of prison and she was HIV positive.

My heart was racing. Pounding actually. I wanted to help so badly. But, I was so scared. The social worker came out in me and I asked her all kinds of questions. I didn't have any cash to give them for a cab. I told her that I couldn't because of the carseats in my car. I really had the whole 3rd row available. I got in my car.

I thought, I am scared but the Lord has been so good to me, I am CONFIDENT that He will take care of me. I got out of my car and told them to get in, amongst the mess. I told her that the Lord has been so good to me. She said that she asked others and one girl told her that she was just too scared. I said, I am too but I trust in the Lord. She proceeded to say that the reason why they were having trouble was because of family. I said, "I know how that is" referring to Joe. We continued to talk. I could smell the alcohol. I told them that my dad(Joe) is an addict. She said, "Oh, i have struggled with that my whole life".

We talked about the Lord, it felt so good to talk about Him with people I didn't even know. Because in some ways I am scared to talk to others about my faith. But, I believe that it was Him revealing to me the power that He has in taking care of me. they asked me where i went to church. We talked about how the Lord loves you even when you mess up as long as you repent.

I dropped them off at a police substation. She said, "I am Linda Doctor and I am going to pray for you father." I wished them luck and drove off.

On my way back to my house I had tears streaming down my face. There are so many people that are suffering in this world. But, I know that is where My Lord, does the best work. I look for Him all the time. What He is teaching me? Loving Him more and more everyday. Transforming. My life is being transformed by Him. By His Holy Spirit. I am happier than I have ever been. I am almost looking for the trials, to help keep me grounded and strong in my love for Him.

Romans 5:3-5

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us".

Mac

Ok, yesterday was a hard day. I went to pick up Mac and i get this look from Ms. Regina....you know the look. She told me that Mac was making faces at his friend's on the play ground. He had to have timeout there. I told her thank you for telling me. Mac told her he was sorry. Well, we got in the car and he said, "I need to pray to God....cry cry". I said, "Ok, I think that is a good idea." He said, "Dear God, please forgive me for making faces at my friend's, in Jesus' name amen". Then we talked about how we all make mistakes, but God still loves us and I still love him too. Then I told him that he could never do anything to cause me to make me not love him. He said, "I love you, Mom".

You might ask why I tell you this. But, this happens to be probably some of the sweetest times I have with him when we talk about God. This morning he said to me, "Mom do you know why I praise the Lord?" I said, "No, tell me". He said, "Because I love Him". Oh, my talk about my heart just swelling up:) I said that was why I praised Him too.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for my children. Thank you for letting me see You at work in my little boy.

Favorite song right now.....

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lillies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

We'd be held....

This is what it is to be loved.
And to know, that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.

This is what it means to be held

I don't know why but I am drawn to people that have suffered a great loss or some tragic circumstance. Part of it is that is what I love to do. Help others. Help others that are less fortunate than me. Whether it was me going into the projects to help some of the younger girls get the services they needed. Or taking thanksgiving dinner to a family that didn't have any money for their Thanksgiving dinner. To praying with that family all holding hands in a circle. To taking kids on prison tours. Or helping friend's that were having a hard time. Helping is just something that has always made me feel good. Feeling good that I have done something to help someone else.

That is what I did for 6 years in the working world. I haven't worked since I had Mac. There has been a part of me that missed that independence. It wasn't until recently that the Lord convicted me that my place is at home right now. i can't believe that it took almost 5 years to be ok with it, but I am.

I love this song because it describes what it is like to be Held by Him. I have felt like the Lord has had me in the palm of his hand for the past year. I don't think that I have ever experienced this before. Well, obviously not because I wasn't saved until last year. I have been reading some blogs from some very special ladies that have lost their children. This happens to be one of my greatest fears. Losing a child. I just can't imagine. Their strength and hope in the Lord amazes me. When I read their blogs I feel like the Lord is just speaking to me. My circumstances are different in so many ways, but we have a common bond and that is the Lord. I am so thankful and grateful for them. They have taught me so much. So much about life and about Jesus.