Measure of Life

I am a Child of God, a daughter, a wife, a Mom, a daughter-in-law, a sister, an aunt, a grandma, a retired school teacher. My life has been and continues to be measured by these relationships, and occupations. BUT my life these days is measured by such phrases as before and after my brain tumor. It is measured by doctor's appointments, cycles of chemotherapy, and MRIs. It is measured by periods of anxiety and worry, followed by periods of encouragement and hopefulness. It is measured by encouraging words from family and friends, and beautiful thoughtful "thinking of you" cards sent in the mail. My life is measured by such phrases as, "You look really good!", making me wonder sometimes what people think I should look like (:-), and what did you do to loose all that weight??? I ask them if they would like to try my "diet"???
In the final analysis, what is the measure of our life? Is it the relationships we have had, the personal accomplishments we have achieved? Is it our title or salary? After I had my first surgery, I woke up in the recovery room and there stood a young lady who was a former student of mine. I remember thinking, "Dear Lord, I hope I was nice to her in school. If not, this would be a good place for her to get even!" Fortunately, she remembered the nice things I had done, and she took very good care of me. I like to think that was one of my rewards.
So much of our life is spent in doing--we are who we are because of what we do. I believe God expects us to do, but one thing this cancer lesson has taught me is that He really wants us to BE. We are all familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. Lk. 10:38 "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Which one of these women captured the heart of Jesus? Why? I am afraid that there have been too many times in my life when I have not "chosen what is better." Thank God He is Gracious and merciful and gives us more than one chance. That in itself is a life God rewards.
We have been doing a video study of John Bevere's book, Honor's Reward. It is a very good study that focuses on our responsibility for promoting the Kingdom of God. He makes it very clear that our salvation is not based on our works. That is free by the grace of God. But the rewards we receive in this life, and when we get to heaven, will be based on what we do for His Kingdom here on earth, now.
I hope and pray that my reward will be great, but I am afraid I have fallen short of what God has called me to do on many occasions. I believe one of the things God has called me to do is to share my journey. As I said before, when we speak or write, we must assume that we have something worthwhile to share, and we have to believe someone wants to hear or read it. I would not be presumptuous enough to take credit for what I have shared, but believe God has laid these things upon my heart, and hope it will be an encouragement to someone else.