Sitting in a hospital room

Ferris Bueller famously said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Sometimes we choose to stop and look around. Other times, life makes that choice for us.
Today has been the latter for me.
For the last five hours, I have been sitting with my dad at the hospital. We finally have a room and thankfully he is resting.
It's in moments like these that you think about things you often forget about.
I've been remembering so many times that my dad was there for me. Videotaping marching band performances. Lunches at Markley's. Sitting with him as he did his work with many area attorneys. Supporting Michelle and me when we went to Harding for my Bible degree. And so many more fond memories.
There's something about seeing your parent laying in a hospital bed that makes you more appreciative, more nostalgic. We often forget about the simple but meaningful things our parents have done for us. We often fail to remember the numerous small sacrifices they made to help us get where we are. We can get so wrapped in our own lives that we neglect to be thankful for the lives that shaped and supported our growth and development.
I know not everyone has pleasant memories of their parents, but we all have had a "parent" in our lives.
Take time today to say thank you. Tell them what you appreciate and what they have done that has been a blessing to you. I have done that with my dad, but not enough.
As I sit here in this hospital room, I know that God is using this experience to remind me that I need to take more time to show my dad how much I appreciate him. I hope these thoughts will cause you to stop and take a moment to do the the same for someone who has helped you along the way. Don't wait for a moment like this where life makes the choice for you.
Like Ferris said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Don't miss it.

shine!
Jason