“I Get To!”® – Live Your Life ‘Gratefully Present’ 

By Joan Endicott 

Once upon a time, in a quiet town nestled among rolling hills, lived a woman named Grace. Known for her busy life, Grace was always rushing from one task to another, her mind constantly preoccupied with work, her phone, shopping, and entertainment. Despite having a loving family and faithful friends, Grace had become increasingly distracted, her heart and mind far from the blessings right before her eyes. 

One evening, after a long day at work, Grace found herself driving home, her phone buzzing with notifications. Unable to resist the urge to check her messages, she glanced down at her phone, taking her eyes off the road for just a moment. In that split second, her car swerved, and she collided with another vehicle. 

The world around her went dark as she lost consciousness. In the ambulance, Grace’s body lay motionless, surrounded by medical personnel fighting to save her life. Suddenly, Grace found herself outside her own body, watching the scene unfold from above. Confusion and fear gripped her, but a gentle voice called her name. 

Turning, she saw a wise and gentle figure dressed in white. He introduced himself as Michael, a messenger sent to strengthen and guide her. Michael spoke softly, “Grace, you have been given a special gift—to see your life from a different perspective, to understand the blessings you have been overlooking.” 

Michael began showing Grace scenes from her own life. She saw herself working, glued to her computer screen, missing the laughter of her children playing in the next room. She saw herself scrolling through her phone, oblivious to her husband’s kind eyes seeking her attention. She saw herself shopping and indulging in entertainment, neglecting the warmth of genuine conversations with friends. 

Each scene pierced her heart, revealing the painful truth of how she had allowed meaningless distractions to cloud her vision and steal her joy. Tears filled her eyes as she realized how disconnected she had become from the people she loved the most. 

Michael gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, sharing “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). He continued, “Grace, God has blessed you with precious moments, but in order to enjoy them fully, you must understand the value of time. It’s an irreplaceable asset that, once gone, is gone for good. 

“Time is something we can either waste or invest. Investing time here on Earth means we are doing things that are not only meaningful now, but for all eternity. The only two things in this life that will last are people and relationships. Do you want to make the most of the time God has given you in this life?” 

Grace felt a surge of sorrow but also a glimmer of hope. Michael then showed her a vision of what her life could be if she chose to live gratefully—in the present moment. She saw herself laughing with her children, sharing meaningful conversations with her husband, and cherishing the simple moments with her friends. 

The final scene Michael revealed was Grace kneeling in prayer, her heart overflowing with gratitude, as she thanked God for the countless blessings in her life. Philippians 4:6-7 echoed in her mind, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

As the vision began to fade, Michael spoke once more, “Grace, remember that each day is a gift. Live gratefully present, savoring every irreplaceable second with those whom God has graciously gifted you. Waste no more time on things that don’t matter.” 

Grace awoke with a start, her heart pounding with a newfound clarity and determination. She knelt beside her bed, offering a prayer of thanksgiving to God. She knew that her life was about to change, and she was ready to embrace it. 

From that day forward, Grace made a conscious effort to be present in every moment. She put away distractions, spent quality time with her family and friends, and cherished the simple, beautiful moments that life offered. She lived each day with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that her vision had been a divine wake-up call to live a life of true fulfillment and joy. 

As Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Grace’s story reminds us all to cherish the blessings God has given us and to live each day with a heart of gratitude, making the most of every precious moment. 

 

If I Had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck 

(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer) 

Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.
My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind. 

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television—and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love you’s”…more “I’m sorry’s”… 

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it…live it…and never give it back.”   

 

Friend, aren’t we grateful that “It’s too late” isn’t in God’s vocabulary and that His mercies are new every morning? The great news is, if you are feeling led to make a change, God gives you the wisdom, strength and power to do it. Now is the time! Today is the day! Waste no time in the pit of regret, simply reset!

Five Encouragements for Living “Gratefully Present” 

1 Practice Gratitude Daily: Start each day by thanking God for His blessings. Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all the good things in your life. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). 

2 Be Mindful of Your Time: Make a conscious effort to spend quality time with your loved ones. Put away distractions and be fully present in the moment. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). 

3 Prioritize Relationships: Invest in meaningful relationships with family and friends. Make time for deep conversations and shared experiences. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). 

4 Limit Distractions: Set boundaries with technology and entertainment. Create intentional time slots for using your phone, watching TV, and other activities, ensuring they don’t overshadow precious moments with loved ones. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). 

5 Live with Purpose: Focus on what truly matters in life. Seek God’s guidance in all you do and strive to live out His calling for you. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

May these steps guide you toward living a life that is gratefully present, cherishing each moment and making the most of the time God has given you. 

 

Grab your FREE copy of Joan Endicott’s “I Get To!”® book at www.JoanEndicott.com. Also, be one of the first to get her 2nd book,“I Get To!”® Own My Worth! Joan is an Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, Author and Coach whose coaching has reached over 30 countries. Find out more about her speaking and coaching here: www.JoanEndicott.com