• Don’t Hold Back

    November 2, 2009 - Comments (11)

    ​Today I am reminded that life is short, and time is precious.  It is so easy to get caught up in putting things off until tomorrow, assuming that tomorrow won’t be too late.  I was asked to call someone who had terminal cancer and was given just days to live.  I was told this person was a big fan of my music, and that it would mean a lot to him if I would call to wish him well.  Well, the day I was supposed to call, I was traveling in Canada with horrible phone service, and unable to reach him.  So, I resolved to make the call when I returned home to the U.S.  Somehow in the chaos of our fall tour, I didn’t getting around to calling Tommy until Saturday morning.  When I did, I was greeted by a family member who told me Tommy went to be with the Lord the day before.  
    ​My stomach sank, as a flood of regret came over me.  I couldn’t believe I had waited until it was too late to talk to him.  His family member said he was waiting for my call, and all I could do was say, “I’m sorry.”  I told her that I would be praying for their family, and hung up the phone.  Then I picked up the phone, called my wife and told her I love her.
    ​I can’t tell you how bad I felt knowing that I had waited until it was too late to talk to this person.  I am still thinking about it today, and thought maybe passing this story on to you may help you remember not to put off till tomorrow, what you know you should do today.  Say you’re sorry.  Call your mom.  Hug your daughter.  Live your life with no regrets.  Don’t hold back.  
     
    -mw
     

    Matthew West POSTED BY:
    Matthew West

    • 11 comments

    1. 1. Sarah commented:

      Mon 2/11/09, 8:41 pm

      I will definitely remember that. I have a lot of difficulty with peer pressure and wondering what my friends will think of me or regretting something I said. “Life is short” and I need to remember that.

    2. 2. Susanne commented:

      Mon 2/11/09, 11:06 pm

      My husband died of brain cancer earlier this year & left me a young widow with two kids. We both realized how short life really is! You should do a mini concert for the family & their friends. You never know who you could bring to Jesus on behalf of that man dying!

    3. 3. Jennifer Eckert commented:

      Tue 3/11/09, 11:09 am

      We all need that reminder. And we need to remember to apply it.

    4. 4. Jeisel Q =] commented:

      Tue 3/11/09, 4:08 pm

      Thank-you Matthew for sharing that story with us. I will never forget it and will use it as an example to be a better person. God bless!! =]

    5. 5. DR. D.L. JOHNSON commented:

      Wed 4/11/09, 10:24 am

      I think we are all in this same boat. I counsel people everyday that have lost a loved one or are loosing a loved one. Being reminded that life is short is a everyday thing for me in my job. I speak with a lot of other pastors and it’s amazing the response some share. I can see more and more a dwelling faith even among my christian brothers. The most common answer i get is, With the loss of a loved one we are forced to act in our own lives. It’s sad to say but like most great actions i see this only last a short time. I would encourage you to know that in a time like this please don’t blame yourself, instead remember those good times with those loved ones. Don’t make a promise to change the world. Instead start with small things. Call a old friend and mend that relationship. Do something for a stranger in line at Starbucks. Fix a child’s bike that has a flat. Pray for that person that cut you off on the road. give your loved one something to smile about.
      I promise you the one that you lost is satisfied in heaven, there is no pain for them to bear. there life on earth was amazing even if it was short. God has given us a chance to live beyond them. To take action on behalf of their lives. A life is short lived, But a legacy is remembered.
      Matthew I would encourage you that your work is amazing, And like all things Gods timing is superior.

      With Love.
      D.L.

    6. 6. Jessie commented:

      Thu 5/11/09, 10:01 am

      Thank you so much for sharing that. I always have a hard time thinking that , “If there’s no tomorrow I need to do all that I can today for God.” My frame of mind is always around tomorrow. Thanks again sharing! It helped put my thoughts back on track.

    7. 7. MaryAnne Skora commented:

      Fri 6/11/09, 10:49 am

      I am very sorry to hear that and I have done this so many times, countless times in my life. Thank you for your advice, I really needed this today, not having the greatest day in high school. Anyway, this reminder is needed for just about everyone, thank you for posting.

      God bless you!

      ~MaryAnne

    8. 8. Lori (Christoffersen) Johnson commented:

      Sun 8/11/09, 2:24 pm

      Thanks much for the “Don’t Hold Back” reminder, Matthew. Today, I posted your message above on my facebook page. Praise God for your miraculous recovery from vocal-chord surgery in 2007. Your music is a blessing to me!
      –Lori (Christoffersen) Johnson of Washington state

    9. 9. Elizabeth commented:

      Fri 13/11/09, 5:04 pm

      That’s true. Life is short. Tomorrow is not promised!! So make the best out of today!! Live for God not the world!!

    10. 10. ryllyna khoo commented:

      Sat 14/11/09, 11:22 am

      hi,i’m from Malaysia and i’ve been blessed by your music.=) Also am blessed by this simple but yet powerful testimony.When it comes to procrastinating, i’ll get 1st prize,so yeah thanks for the encouragement.

    11. 11. Galen commented:

      Sat 21/11/09, 1:09 pm

      Wow… that’s a powerful story. If more people remembered how short and fragile life was, what a different world this would be. Thanks for all you do Matthew – love your music.

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