You Are a Mist

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 4:14

In our line of work, we are extremely familiar with the brevity of life. Unfortunately we have witnessed the death of newborns, 90 year olds, and everything in between. Often times all in one day. 

This week we laid to rest a brother firefighter who seemed to have so much life left. That same night I spent time comforting a mother and father who had just lost 3 young kids. Life is indeed short. Not one of us is promised tomorrow. 

The deaths of loved ones and the young are reminders of our mortality. Death has been undefeated since Day 1 of Human History, and it shows no signs of ending that streak any time soon. Throughout my career, many people have asked, "Am I going to die?" I almost always answered, "Yes. It might not be today, but we are all going to die."

I think we should all take time to reflect on our lives. How we live our lives matters. How we love God, our neighbors, our families, and even our enemies matters. Every conversation had and every memory made could be our last. Make each moment this side of heaven count. Say, "I love you" and "I'm sorry." Show it. Mean it. Live at peace with everyone and make your peace with God with whom we will all stand face to face.

-Captain Bobby Delgado, HFD Chaplain