Short Story

People ever rarely take the time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the environment surrounding them. I used to be this way. I didn't care a thing about enjoying what God has created for us. The masterpiece that is Earth. A busy person, such as myself in the past, never had time for it. They always run from one place to another, never taking a moment to relax. It's always work, work, and more work! Busy, busy, busy.

My deceased wife, Marie, was the one person I knew who enjoyed everything that was given to her. She never had to work for anything. We had no kids, and I supported her. I am glad to say that my wife had a very good life, and everyday she reminded me of how blessed we were to have each other, and the big and small things that God had given us.

The day I received a phone called from my local hospital, my life changed forever. My wife had been in a serious car accident, and was barely breathing. Everything, even time, seemed to freeze in that moment. The love of my life was fighting for her life in a hospital bed, and I wasn't there. I am thankful that God kept her alive in time for me to see her face one last time.

I sat in that room for hours, holding her hand and praying that God would save her life. She opened her eyes and looked at me, and the last thing she ever said to me was, "I am finally going home to be with our Father. Don't waste the time you have left by mourning over me. I'll be safe with God. God still has something for you to do, so do it. I love you, Steven."

They were the sweetest words my wife had ever said to me. She closed her eyes and smiled, and then in a single moment, she was gone. Tears filled my eyes in seconds, and I cried the whole day. The only thing that mattered to me was gone. I made one final promise to her. I would do what she asked.

It always seems that when a person is at his lowest and most depressing time, is when he finally realizes his need for a Savior, and a need to change. It's when they finally become sincere, and finally change. Not because they will it, but because they want it. After my wife passed away, I quit my job. I took all the money I had, bought a house in the mountains, and I have lived in the same house for 20 years.

I had no need for electricity, or the pleasures that many people had. I was content, and still am, with my little log house, my Bible, and the beautiful land that God created.

As I write this on my porch, I stare at the beautiful blue sky, with the white, puffy clouds gliding slowly across the vast expanse. How wonderful! The Evergreen's and Pine's that stretch across the land as far as the eye can see is magnificent. Even the very ground is a wonder to look at!

To this day I have kept my promise, and I will gladly keep it until my life is over. I still miss the comfort and joy that my wife emitted and the love that we shared, but I honestly believe had she not died, I would still be a busy person, never taking the time to truly appreciate my blessings. I will one day see my wife again, but how much more I look forward to being with my Father! One day, "busy" will no longer exist, and that's completely fine with me.