I want to motivate you to be strong.

I want to motivate you to move your body.

I want to motivate you to create joy in your life.

And to lean on God for your strength.

I was recently at the funeral service for my father in law. It was hard, as all losses and such services are.

I watched and listened as two of my sons spoke about their grandfather, and through their emotions, did a beautiful job sharing memories and stories of a man who had been larger than life to them as little boys.

As a mom it was hard watching them do something that I know was also hard for them. I continue to marvel at their strength and resilience.

My boys both spoke of the big and full life their Pop had lived, the many things he had accomplished in his life, and, more importantly, how he had shared his love. He had a big impact.

During the message portion of the service, the minister said something that stuck with me. I know it’s not a new message, and you have likely heard it in the past. Basically, the minister said that when one dies the gravestone will show the year of birth and the year of death. We have no control over either of these dates. However, we do have control over what we do with the “dash” in between the two dates.

Make Your Dash Count

As they say, that’ll preach.

How can we have an impact? Our own dash may be short or long, we do not know, but what we do with it counts.

As I’ve been thinking about this over the week, I realized that I used to think that to have an impact meant that we had to make a big splash. To count, it had to be something big and great. However, it really is much simpler than that, isn’t it?

Do the right thing for the right reason.

Be generous and gracious and lend a hand.

Do what matters even when it is hard.

Make others feel loved.

Give the hugs, compliments, the rides to fix a flat tire, the hospital visits, sit with the friend who is lost or grieving, celebrate just because, check on others, say thank you, remember to be kind.

Making the days and the dash count can be really simple. I think we often forget this as we get caught up in the busyness of life, and it brings a loss or an event to remind us that we actually need to take the time to focus on how we want to live.

I often say that we have this one, big, beautiful life - and each day really does matter.

As the minister reminds us, we don’t know the spread of our life, or our dash, but I imagine we all want ours to count.

Thinking of how we live and go through this life, and creating the strength to live an impactful life, I think of this verse that I have come back to over the years.

The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3:19.

What strength move can we take from this? Of course, we know the various benefits of walking. Yes, it is simple, and a huge mood booster, but let’s add in the hills. Take the incline, whether outside or if you are on the treadmill. In fact, I’ve been adding this as my warm up lately, or as a part of my workout, and it’s a challenge. Find an incline - I’ve challenged mine to #12 lately - stand tall, no grabbing on the sides, and walk the hills. If you are outside, no skirting around - take on the hills.

Thank you for being here! If this speaks to you or someone you know, please share 💚

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