Leadership Thought: Love Them Now before They’re Just a Memory

Dear Friend

If you have some kindness to do, some letter of appreciation to write, some expression of love to communicate, do it now, for tomorrow may be too late.

There have been too many times in my life when I thought about doing something, only to procrastinate and sadly discover that the expression of my love was lost.

I still remember my intention to write a letter to a member of a former church who was dying of brain cancer. I had been in touch with her husband who was sadly struggling while watching the one he loved slip away. For many days I had planned to write to her and communicate how much I loved her and how much she meant to me and to the church.

Unfortunately, I received a phone call from one of her friends bringing me the sad news of her passing, ending any opportunity for me to express my love and appreciation for her friendship.

You too may have your own story of regret over missing a chance to say or do something you wanted to, only to sadly discover that time had erased that opportunity.

So, my encouragement to you is to read and think about the message below that was printed in the Los Angeles Times and written by Anne Wells. She writes:

“My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue wrapped package. He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. Inside the package was a beautiful silk slip trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure was still attached.”

“He said, ‘Jan bought the expensive slip the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it, for she was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.’”

“He took the slip from the package and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment. And then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me and said, ‘Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.’”

As I thought about this article, I was reminded of a refrain from a song we sang in my first church. It was sung by our youth group while performing a skit in which they were communicating the importance of not putting off the things that need to be said or done.

“Tell them now, before they’re just a memory. Tell them now before it’s too late. Hold them, love them, laugh and cry with them, tell them now.”

Is there someone God has placed on your heart who needs to hear some little expression of love, hope, or encouragement? Tell them, show them, write them, phone them…but do it now. Do it today. Let “someday,” and “one of these days,” and “tomorrow” lose their grip on your vocabulary. Seize the opportunity to share your love or risk facing the day when you sadly discover that you waited too long.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom