The First and the LAST – that’s what the past couple of weeks has held for us. 

The first day of school.  Emma’s first day ever of school (sniff, sniff…) (And our first annual girls pampering afternoon!)  The first day that smelled like fall, first Vikings and Hawkeye football games, etc. 

Firsts, and lasts….  All conjure up a ton of emotion.  Why do we hold these things so sacred?  Because we want to treasure every bit we can with them, and before we know, time has passed us by and we are realizing we could have done more. 

It’s that way in our walk with God.  We don’t know when the “last” day will be for us…  If we did we’d trying squeezing in all the first and lasts that we possibly could.  Instead, I challenge us to live each day to His glory!  Sounds cliche’ but really, why don’t we??? 

It also makes me think that our LOVE for Jesus should pale in comparison to our sentimental earthly memories we seek.  We read in scripture that He is the First and HE is the last… 

“Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.” Isaiah 48:12

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. – Revelation 1:17

So, today I’m praying that, although the earthly firsts and lasts are important, that I would spend more emotional energy with the TRUE FIRST AND LAST.  That I would know him more and pattern my life after HIM and HIS desires for me.  For He is the First and the Last.  The one who was, and is, and is to come…. 
 
God guide me in paths towards you and your ways.  May I not get so hung up on making memories here on Earth, that I miss out on the treasures you have in store for me.  May I live my life to be a blessing to you in all that I do, and may those memories be what sustains me.  May I model that for my kids so that they want what I want, which is more and more of you….