Blink of an Eye

Today I'm going to be getting pretty deep with you all, so here's your forewarning. Recently I had a dear friend tell me about an awful situation that happened to some college friends of hers and her husbands, Kimberly and Dan.  The two couples had spent a lot of time together in college, each couple got married about the same time and have kids about the same age- one and three.  

Recently Kimberly had a nagging cough, and doctors thought it was a cold that just kept hanging around. Kimberly, also happened to be pregnant with their third child at the time.  What seemed to be a cold turned out to be a rare valley fever in which fungus starts growing on your lungs. She delivered her third baby at 23 weeks, and he died shortly after. Things got worse and Kimberly soon died too. Her life was over in the blink of an eye. This story is literally the worst. 

Kimberly and her husband Dan were unwavering Christians, you can read more about her story here. The family is at peace knowing Kimberly and her baby are in Heaven, but it still doesn't make this situation seem much easier here on earth. Sometimes things happen that I just don't think we as humans have the capacity to understand. I don't know why God would take her from her family at such a time as this. I can't understand the logic.

I shared this story with my husband, Brian, who is well known for his honestly, not his empathy. He responded, "We're not promised any specific time here on earth. When it's our time, it's our time." So, for the record, the response I wanted to here "Man, what an awful situation," but there really was truth in what he had to say.

As Brian said this we were walking in the doors of Grant's elementary school for kindergarden roundup, something I've been looking forward to for quite some time. Here I am, making plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, and even next year, but what if I don't get a next year? 

That's why it's so important to make the most of each day.  God wants each one of us just as we are. Tired, bruised, broken, He loves us all. If we wait around until we're perfect to come to God, we'll never get there. Meeting him is not like a job interview, where you have to be "hired," He's our father, waiting with open arms, ready to accept us just as we are. 

My friend said she's been hugging her kids a little bit tighter all week, and as for me, I don't want to take this life I've been given for granted. I want to make the most of each day. I don't want to let daily "annoyances" get to me, because in the end, they don't matter. I want to be in daily communion with God, so that when my day does come, he'll say to me "Well done, good and faithful servant." I wish the same for you too.

I found this J.Crew factory dress on thredUp (surprise, surprise).  I'd been eyeing it when it was first a J.Crew factory this fall, but didn't get it because it was so much more of a spring dress. Then it showed up on thredUP, new with tags for $15 and I had credits to use. Nice. Use this thredUP link to get $10 off your first order, seriously, you'll be amazed at what you can find!  I'm planning to wear this for Easter and I adore it with my necklace from Rocksbox, another gem (no pun intended) that is right up my alley. I love getting to try new jewelry, and this is the one piece I've decided to keep so far. You can also try it for free. Just sign up at Rocksbox with the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo."

Cardigan: Kohl's similar

Dress: J.Crew factory via thredUP (use this thredUP link to get $10 off your first order)

Necklace: Rocksbox c/o (try Rocksbox for free with the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo)

Bracelets: Stella and Dot same / same

Heels: Fergalicious similar

What I Wore Wednesday

Random Wednesday