Get Your Affairs In Order
“Get your affairs in order.” This phrase is commonly told to people right after they are told how many months they have left to live. Thankfully, I have yet to have this conversation with anybody. But I am not immune to the idea that my affairs are probably not in order. There are many things I do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis for my family that Mandy should probably know how to do. Similarly, I am now more aware that there are so many things that she does that I have never had to worry about.
I recognize something and you should too: you have no more of an assurance of living tomorrow than I do — even though I am the one with cancer.
We can learn something from each other, though. You should learn from me to take stock in who you are and who your Creator is. You should learn to not take for granted how much time you have and make that time count. You should learn to not just get your affairs in order, but learn to maintain them in order.
I can learn from you to not live shortsightedly but to continue having a vision that passes on even to future generations. I can continue to take care of the things I have been gifted to take care of up until the point when I can no longer do them. I can learn not to burden those around me with unnecessary tasks now.
It seems to me that we should not get our affairs in order when we are on death’s door. We should probably get our affairs in order now and then focus on maintaining them. Spouses should know about what each other do. Kids should understand what parents do. Friends should be privvy to family functions. I am starting to get my affairs in order now — maybe you should, too.
Another great insight, Zac ! I have thought about this, not in the light of cancer, but in the light of our ages, our frequent travel, our sometimes risky lifestyle. I will think about it a little more now that you’ve put it out there. Since God is about order I guess we should be too! We’re praying for you everyday!
We’re pretty ‘in order’ in our house. My mom and I are pretty aware of what each other does. She’s always said… “In case I’m dead tomorrow…” and the followed that with the location of an important file for taxes or what-have-you.
I always think it’s weird that she says it that way… but it makes sense to me.
[...] ten months since I was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Not long after that diagnosis, I wrote about getting your affairs in order. I can personally attest that this is a difficult process to undertake. It is hard to sit down and [...]