THE ILLUSIONIST

The Illusionist - might that be you? Have you ever stopped to think about it? Probably not. I didn't until I was walking down the street the other day pulling my son in his little red wagon. How precious that time was with him. The dishes didn't matter and only his bright shining smile and commands to go faster were what were important to me.

We all live under some kind of illusion.

Maybe you are putting things off till a little later.  Then you must be living under the illusion that you will actually be around a little later to take care of that business you decided to put off.

You may not relish the idea of teaching your teen to drive but if not you, then who? There will be memories galore when going through this daunting task. Put the mop down, grab your teen and just go out to your car and toss your teen the keys - you will be amazed by the affection you are showered with.

 The affection comes after you have clawed the dashboard and rammed your foot almost clean through the floorboard as you attempt pumping your invisible brakes! Your teen will think you are the coolest. You will also be expected to tell them what fantastic drivers they were!

How often do we utter the words, "I love you", to someone special in your life? How often do we think about writing a thank you note to someone for the kind deeds that they have done for us and then procrastinate? Eventually that kind deed goes without even a thank-you because we are human and our day-to-day activities have a way of occupying our present actions.

Don't miss any opportunities to hug your children, your spouse, your parents, your friends. I think back on my many missed opportunities.

I had a friend named Jeff Hutson, he was my pal and my confidant. I really loved the times we would share together. When we were seperated by distance, we would call one another and encourage each other. Then life started happening right there in the midst of mine and Jeff's relationship. I had gone in a direction with which I thought he would be disappointed in, so the calls became less frequent and eventually ceased for a couple years. I still was aware of his activities and he with mine just not that sweet time of communication between us.

A phone ringing interuppted my life early on the morning of August 17th, 2009. The call was from my bestest girlie friend, Alli, and I anxiously grabbed the phone eager to hear any news from her. Then she told me that my friend, who was like a brother to me, had shot himself and had died. Stunned silence.

I had just accidentally dialed his number on Sunday afternoon August 16th!! I was trying to call my other friend Jeff and had dialed him. He did not answer. Tragically my friend who held so many of my secrets and wishes was dead. I lived under the illusion that my friends would just always be there.

I also lived under the illusion that he would judge and condemn me for my wayward ways. That wasn't Jeff, what the heck was I thinking? He would of prayed with me and for me. He would have loved me just the same. I would have also given him the opportunity to share his burdens with me. I missed that because of my illusionist mentality.

Don't procrastinate. Don't be an illusionist. I suggest you hug your children so very often that they bear the mark of your arms around them. Give them "hug" tan lines! Call your Mom & Dad right now and tell them how you appreciate all that they have done for you. If you still live at home - give your Mom & Dad those same tan lines they are giving you.

Get a little lipstick on your 15 yr old sons cheek. Embarass your daughter and hand deliver her a single rose in the middle of one of her classes!! Mow the lawn for your elderly neighbor. Bake an extra batch of cookies for the woman who just found out she has breast cancer. How about getting down on the floor and really playing with your toddler - see things from their perspective. Kids have some fantastic toys these days, not like the cardboard boxes of my day, so check them out and spend time with your kids.

Read a book to your child. Tuck your kids in with prayers at night no matter what the age. Pray in the morning with your kids and send them off for a great day. You never know how long you will have with this person that you share your love with - do not be an illusionist!

How about God? Have you been putting HIM off, too? Don't procrastinate anymore. Quit living for the moment and start living for eternity.

I can only wish now that I had called Jeff more often! I can only dream of kissing my daughter Stephanie one more time. I have lived the life of an illusionist before and its not a life for me. Housework can wait, the clothes can be a bit wrinkled, the weeds can wait another day to be pulled but my Mom may die today, my neighbor may be in a fatal accident, someone may pull the trigger on one of my kids .... I AM TAKING THE TIME EVERY MOMENT TO EMBRACE THOSE AROUND ME. I can't pull a rabbit out of the hat so I will hang up trying to be an illusionist. I will leave that up to Criss Angel.

Always Smilin',
Dianne
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away (James 4:14).