Don’t Waste a Day

Don’t Waste a Day

by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high”

(Psalms 3:3 NIV).

When my Bible-quoting daddy was first diagnosed with brain cancer, I threw my phone onto the passenger seat. The blinding Arizona sun beat down on me that bright spring afternoon as I headed home from another stressful day as a school principal.

While I navigated the roads, my father’s voice rang in my ears with the news I’d been dreading. “Malignant-tumor. Left, frontal lobe. Stage four. Don’t waste a day. Life is short.”

I was dazed. Cars, mountains, sun, and sky spun in a blur while I struggled to see the road through tears.

What struck me the most was how everyone else went about their day. The other motorists didn’t know my world had transformed in an instant. That experience changed me forever.  I learned that outwardly people can look fine, but we all have something going on inside. We face constant battles.

Two years after my father passed, I stood at a crossroads. Words constantly swirled through my imagination, and I wanted to put them to use. I actively pursued a career in writing while balancing my administrative job.

But rejections came and an onslaught of doubt and fear followed. During those times, my father’s message echoed as a reminder. “Don’t waste a day. Life is short.”

What battle are you facing today? Where are you allowing discouragement to take root in your life? How can you help those who seem perfectly fine on the outside but could be facing a battle within?

As Christian authors, we know we’ll face trouble. But thankfully, God puts distance between a Christian and the enemy so we may use our words to shine light in a dark world. Our faith is a strong fence defending us from spiritual attacks and opening our eyes to the silent suffering of others.

Despite the many battles we will face, we must fortify our knowledge of God, use our words to introduce him to those who need him, and keep our eyes open to those who are struggling. This is our calling, and as my daddy reminded, “We shouldn’t waste our days. Especially since life is short.”

Dear Father, help me to know that despite how fine others seem on the outside, they may be struggling. Open my eyes to their struggles so I can be of comfort. Also, please shield me from deception that tells me I’m no good and my words don’t make a difference. Help me to keep a fortified faith defending me from the enemy. Amen.

 

Katherine is a counselor, consultant, author, and owns an event-planning business. Her art and writing are distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference.  Katherine loves speaking to groups, delivering messages with quick wit and real-life stories. Connect at https://godslittleblackdress.com/ or https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Little-Black-Dress-Women/dp/1365056163