Have you been disappointed by things you didn’t do in the past? Wow! Life is so short, a mere mist, as described in God’s Word. How can we expect to enjoy the journey when we don’t engage and make memories? I can promise in twenty years you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. I’m not suggesting to go out and do sinful things that channel regret and change the course of your life. I’m talking about experiencing life, enjoying the blessings given by God, getting out of the boat and exercising your faith.

This topic is dear to my heart because most people don’t do things, declaring they’ll do them when there’s time, money, after retirement, when children are grown and gone, when things are in order. Often, we sit in the corner waiting for the perfect setting and situation for us to dance, to do the things we desire in life. The perfect time rarely comes; we must create memories by doing and not just dreaming. The movie, Dirty Dancing, shows a young girl who captivates the world when she makes a choice to get out of the boat. Patrick took her hand and told her dad, “No one puts Baby in a corner!” My heart melted and tears flowed every time I watched that scene. Once, Tim and I actually reenacted the ending of the movie. He thought I was crazy, but he had the time of his life swaying his hips and flashing his shy smile as I danced all over our den, nodded my head, and jumped into his strong arms. I wouldn’t trade that memory for the world. Surely, Tim was waiting at the pearly gates to give Patrick a high five and request dancing lessons. Taking dance lessons was on our “bucket list” of things we planned to do, but time ran out. When we do things, we make those lists much smaller as our dreams are fulfilled. Sailing was a dating dream come true twenty seven years after we said, ‘I do’! Sharing special times on our sailboat gave us much happiness and many headaches. When we do things, we must anticipate tough times. Encountering huge wasps swarming around our heads while sailing our Rhodes sailboat spoiled our days at sea. We’d hoist our sails and settle down to enjoy the quiet ride in paradise, when angry wasps would appear out of nowhere, refusing to leave us alone. The mystery of where these wasps came from baffled us, until one day we noticed they always retreated to the back of our boat. Tim decided to do something—war on wasps! He stood in waist deep water, where our boat was secured in our boat stall, giving me specific instructions on what we would do. I stayed inside the boat with towels ready for battle; Tim lifted the heavy motor, held it, and hollered for help. A huge nest inside the motor was home to the wicked wasps that surrounded Tim. What a scene! My only weapons were screams and towels with Tim waiting helplessly for me to kill his attackers. I finally did. Victory was sweet as we set sail with no swarming wasps, just lots of laughter and a yarn to spin with our friends. When I watch a beautiful sail boat slide through the water, I smile with marvelous memories tucked inside my thankful heart. We dreamed of sailing and we did it, despite the obstacles we had to overcome. We did many things that continue to bless us. One thing is saying The Lord’s Prayer together. Tim and I kneeled and prayed this prayer together on our wedding night Holding hands and saying The Lord’s Prayer became a family thing we did every time we’d leave home, on vacations, even in doctor’s offices. Sometimes we’d leave out lines and giggle our way to Amen, but we always felt closer to one another and to God when we took time to pray. Before Tim left to go to his heavenly home, we prayed together around his bedside. Our family still prays together, holding hands, and ending with the prayer that makes this mama’s heart happy. Cameron and I prayed together early this morning when he picked me up to go do a thing I never look forward to, but doing it saved my life—a colonoscopy. Preparing for that dreaded procedure is the pits, but it’s a good thing; I encourage you to do things to take care of your temple. I do it now with a humble heart, praying for good results, for the doctor, nurses, for the good sleep afterwards, for people who live in places where they can’t do this thing which could save their lives, and for all the things we have in our little corner of the world that we take so for granted.

In the Bible, we read of many people who did things to show their love and loyalty to the Lord. Imagine Noah’s adventures as he believed his calling and built the ark. He was the laughing stock of folks as he toiled and tried to tell people, “it’s gonna rain!” He loaded those animals two by two and put his family on board; when the rain came down, his praise went up to thank the good Lord. Imagine the things Noah and those he loved did as they watched their world drown and waited on the Lord for a sign. Their voyage had to be boring and smelly with all those animals aboard for forty days and nights…with no computers, television, cell phones, or showers, just God and them. To see that dove bring back the olive branch and the rainbow scan the sky surely made them thank Noah for his faithfulness and for doing a thing God told him to do.

Think of David, wild and wooly, daring to do whatever God led, and many things not led by the good Lord. Yet, David always retreated, repented, and restored his relationship with God. His love for the Lord brought David blessings abundantly. Wouldn’t you love to have witnessed his puny little self slaying that conceited giant or been one of his renegades hiding in caves and helping David fulfill his destiny? David didn’t shy away from his calling. He made mistakes and did things not pleasing to God; he hurt his family and friends, but he sincerely sought forgiveness and fought a good fight for the Lord. He didn’t give up and dwindle away when it seemed he would surely be killed by King Saul. Instead, he pressed forward in faith … a man after God’s own heart. David pleased God; God blessed him and the world was a better place because David did things. Surely, he was first in line when Patrick Swayze entered paradise, petitioning help for a heavenly hit, Dancing with the Angels!

Then there’s Mary, the innocent young girl who heard from God that she was to bear His Son. What she did can never be matched. I marvel when I think of how hard her life was when those she loved turned their backs and made her the talk of the town, when Joseph was filled with fear, when people demanded she be stoned to death and put her on the greatest guilt trip of all times. But she did something! She believed and trusted God to do what He promised. She persevered, Joseph protected and proved His love was strong, God sent His Son to this faithful couple and what they did changed the world. The Messiah came to earth as a tiny baby in a manger and died on a cross to save us from our sins. Mary and Joseph did things, made memories, and pondered in their hearts the fate of their dear son, God’s Son. They spent nights in a stable on earth but when they went to meet Jesus in heaven…He had a master suite waiting in His mansion in the sky. He said He was going to prepare that mansion and it would have many rooms. The most important thing we can do is make our reservation now. If accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and doing things here to serve Him have been on your ‘to do’ list … don’t let the sun set before you do the thing that will change your life and bring you true happiness and peace. Seek Jesus, say ‘yes’ to His calling, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and live your life doing things pleasing to Him as you throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbors, explore, dream, and discover all that God would have you do. He loves seeing His children happy … working, playing, worshipping, sharing love and laughter, serving Him, and having the time of our lives. And when our life on earth ends, He promises to take us to heaven for eternity. There will be no disappointments in heaven, no regrets for things we did or didn’t do … just heavenly happiness forever and ever. Accept Him today; it will be the best thing you will ever do. Amen.