The Hyphen of Your Life
@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
February 25, 2018 2:38pm CST
One fact is that people die every day. Have you given any thought to the hyphen between the dates of birth and death?
I find myself thinking about that when someone dies, wondering if my life has something to show for all the hyphen stands for.
I'm living in my hyphen right now. So, are you. What are you doing with your life? Are you living up to your potential?
I hope I am. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it. It feels like I should be doing more, but I don't know what more I could be doing.
When I think of people like Reverend Billy Graham, who lived for only one purpose, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know his hyphen meant a lot not only to him, but the millions of people who went to his crusades, listened on radio or television and heard the gospel for the first time, or the hundredth. For many of those people it was the biggest change in their lives.
Then there's me, and I wonder if I'm doing all I can with the life God has given me. No, I won't be found in stadiums, or on stage, but I still have a purpose. As do you. I know what my purpose is. I just hope I'm doing all I can.
Do you know your purpose? What are you doing to fulfill your purpose and put meaning in the hyphen of your life? Make your hyphen count.
Thanks for reading.
14 people like this
13 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
25 Feb 18
My time has been spent doing so many things. My belief is that everyone of those experiences brought me to the place where I am today. They made me stronger, more caring, and compassionate. I know that if it weren't for my faith in God that I wouldn't be in this place today. I am thankful.
3 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
25 Feb 18
@just4him I used to ask myself some questions, but not now. I am too old and too many things have happened to my life.
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
26 Feb 18
Life is a gift and it is borrowed. I am living my life to the fullest and I want to be righteous in the eyes of God. I want to be the apple of His eyes. I know that He sees my everything.
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
26 Feb 18
@just4him should I say "gift" not borrowed.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Feb 18
@jobelbojel That makes better sense.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Feb 18
I believe we're all given the gifts to live an amazing life, but most--if not all- of us fall short of our full potential. Sometimes life beats us down and we get exhausted and tired and worn out, but hopefully we take each day as a new opportunity to begin anew.
I enjoy helping people, which is why I left the very successful business world I was in and pursued a career in public service. If I bring a smile to one person's face at the end of the day, I consider that a successful day!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Feb 18
@just4him I was in a 4-car pile-up today heading home from work in rush hour (I was hit from behind while I was at a traffic light, which pushed me forward into two other cars). The other three drivers were young women, and all of them were crying hysterically. One of them said to me, "how can you be some calm and relaxed, our cars are totaled?" I looked at each of them and said, "Because all of us are alive and unhurt, and we should be thankful for that. Our cars can be replaced, our lives can't" I then gave a reassuring smile to each of them and told them everything would be okay.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Feb 18
@moffittjc I'm so glad you're okay. I'm sure they were hysterical. That person's insurance is going to go through the roof with paying for all those cars. I agree, lives are much more important than cars.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59830)
• Philippines
26 Feb 18
Thanks for posting this. Needed to read something like this to put focus back into my life.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Feb 18
Awesome. Having God as part of your life is the best way to live your life. 
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
26 Feb 18
I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I know my main purpose it to glorify God, but I'm not always sure of the details of how that works out at this stage of my life. I'm trying to walk with Him one day at a time as He leads. I'm not always successful.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
26 Feb 18
Wow, that was thought provoking and brilliantly written.
I know I was thinking while I was at the hospital.--- Every time a baby is born at the local hospital they play a little few second clip of the "lullabye" tune. The morbid side of my brain kicks in and thinks about how thankful I'm that they don't announces when someone passes. Sad :(
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Feb 18
@FayeHazel I was also confused, and glad I asked.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@just4him Mystery solved :-) Good thing they don't play the glass break sound for everytime someone comes in with a broken bone
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
27 Feb 18
@just4him I know the lullabye thing confused me too - my mom figured it out though :-)
1 person likes this
