Tomorrow May Not Come

In an instant everything can change.   We can be going about our everyday tasks, and then something happens that takes your breath away.  You feel like everything around you is going 100 miles an hour, but you are stuck in slow motion.  That’s where our church family and community has been this past week here in Rochester/Springfield. A very special young man from RCC had an accident while skateboarding and passed away.  He was 15 years old.

This has been one of the most difficult weeks we’ve had to go through.  We grieve for the loss of this young man.  We grieve for his family.  Our hearts are breaking.  We hold our own children closer and let them know how much we love and appreciate them.  We do our best to reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus to this family.  We trust in our God even though we don’t understand.  We hold on to His promises.  We remember and celebrate the gift Riley was to us all.  We are inspired to hear how his life touched so many and led them to Christ.  Riley’s love of people and his love for the Lord…amazing and inspiring!  We rejoice he is in heaven.  We hold onto the hope we have as believers that we’ll see him again.

Please join us in praying for Riley’s family – for comfort, peace, and strength in the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond.    Also, please pray for the youth in our community as they try to make sense of what has happened; as they ask questions and search for answers to really tough questions. 

We were reminded this week how precious each moment is.  Treasure it.  Enjoy it.  Live this moment for the Lord.  Don’t underestimate those small things (smiles, kind words, notes, etc…) as God takes those very small offerings of love and does huge things for the Kingdom with them.  Love people…all kinds of people.  Let God use you to reach others for Him.  Live what you say you believe.  Share your faith with those you know so they can know the hope that can only be found in Christ.  May your words be encouraging and build others up.  Make the most of every opportunity.   Lives can and will be transformed.   

Here in Rochester/Springfield we prepare to start a new week just as you do.  We look ahead to see what God will do.  We draw our strength from Him.  We trust Him. We place our hope in His promises.  We celebrate a new day with new opportunities, and we strive to make each one count because we have been reminded tomorrow may not come.