Libby Baker Sweiger

The Last Opportunity

“Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there’s no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again.”
― Max Lucado

She was a forgiver. She forgave from the heart. She was a good example to us. My dad, the most generous man I knew. My brother Scott is like him. I knew him to give his shoes right off his feet to a fellow on the street who had none. When applauded for it, he shrugged. I kept my socks he said, I didn’t walk home barefoot. As if his sanitary streak showed less generosity! Even more extraordinary he gave his bike away to his younger cousin. A 12 speed, long before he would ever have a car to drive to replace it. I asked him about it. He told me he knew they couldn’t afford a bike for him. I asked him who would buy him a bike and he said he’d get by. He is a selfless guy my brother. My brother Bill is a loving treasure himself. Who gives to his children and family unrestrained. He threw a party for my kiddo’s 30th birthday in his wonderful house, when I couldn’t get the party room at our apartment!

With two loving, giving parents, not to mention two sets of the same style grandparents it’s no wonder we were taught by example to be giving, forgiving.

Yet this quote struck me hard tonight. Forgive and give as if it is your last opportunity. That is so important. Who knows if you’ll get another chance to see that person, that friend you’re taking for granted, judging, or thinking ill of. “People come and go so quickly here!” Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz. And it’s true in life these days! It’s a shame to take for granted even one moment with another treasured human being, or a friend, a gift to you in life.

Or a day of our life. I want to spend each moment of my life in gratitude. In peace with my friends and family. At peace with the Lord of All. There is violence and meanness in this world, that is true. Tonight many of us are reflecting on the violence in Boston. The sad and meaningless terror. Incomprehensible to us.

I’m thinking also of the good things in things in this life. My dear husband’s grandmother had a saying. I always smile when I say it because I knew her well. She was a woman of strength and faith and dignity. She said, “It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.” Now, the weakening part…that’s the trick. For we are all weak. Only strong as we rely on the one who made us. So, if I were so bold as to amend her saying, I would say, “It’s a great life, if when you weaken you cast yourself on the strength of the Lord! Not as catchy, but it works for me. When I am weak I am strong in Jesus. That’s catchier. And paraphrased but Biblical!

So now we are getting to Love. Love like there is no tomorrow and if tomorrow ever comes, love again! That is the best of Max Lucado, and the best advice of all. For Jesus fulfilled all of the commandments with one, Love One Another.

Love One Another.

If we but do that, with His strength where we are weak, we have forgiveness down, evil and violence beat and we have a wonderful life filled with all the things the Lord planned for us: Him, family, friendship, peace, fulfillment, forgiveness, giving and real living. Blessings and love to you all, Lib.