As some of you know, my dad pasted away a couple of months ago. Processing his death has been very difficult for me.

Honestly, my dad and I were not as close as we should have been, but losing him has still impacted me far more deeply than I ever could have imagined.

I had the honor of preaching at my father’s funeral.  Preparing his eulogy was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done and it forced me to think long and hard about life and what we should be making of it.

As I looked back over his life, or at least the parts of it of which I was aware, I couldn’t help but think about my own life and where it is headed as well.

My dad’s death, and thinking about life and death in general, has taught me four very important lessons.

 1.  Don’t Wait

Life is just too important and too unpredictable to wait to do the things you know you want to do.

My dad and I had a conversation a couple of days before he died that we should have had 30 years ago. I’m thankful that we finally had that talk but we should have had it much earlier. So much time was wasted. So many opportunities were needlessly squandered.

Don’t wait. Have those conversations with the people you love now. If tough decisions are required before those conversations can be had, then make those decisions now so that you can move ahead.

Make commitments now. Make those phone calls now. Take steps now toward those you love. Take those steps even if they scare you. Don’t wait to the last minute. You’ll regret that.

2.  Live Life

Life is an amazing adventure but if you’re determined to play it safe you can actually make it a rather boring and monotonous existence. Go ahead and live life.

Take trips. See things. Try new foods. Learn new skills. Get new hobbies. Push yourself out of your comfort zone into the wild and wonderful world God has given us.

3.  Most Things We Worry About Don’t Matter

At the end of your life, most of the things that you think are so important right now won’t matter to you in the slightest. Money, fame, status, the approval of others, material items — all of them will be absolutely worthless to you.

Don’t spend your life chasing futile, barren, and meaningless things. Focus on what’s most important.

4.  Leave a Rich Legacy for Your Children

I think it’s important for a father to leave an inheritance to his children but, as a father, I know that fathers tend to focus far too much on that. It’s vastly more important that we leave a rich legacy.

How will your kids view you? How will they remember your character? Will they aspire to live the way you lived? These are far more critical elements to consider than some lifeless number in a bank account.

I could go on and on about everything that’s been running through my head as I’ve thought about life and death. I’m sure you could add some thoughts of your own as well. (I’d love to hear them below.)

Perhaps the greatest thing I am taking away from all this is a new sense of urgency to live in a way that will bless my children, and their children, and their children’s children as well.

I desire to live a life with a long-term view that’s focused on blessing my family and all those that come after me.