My Ending

"The end of the matter is better than its beginning..."

Ecclesiastes 7: 8

This afternoon as I lie on the sofa for some R and R, I grabbed my "Wisdom for the Way" book by Charles Swindoll for a much-needed devotion. More often than I'd like to admit, I randomly open a book and read what is before me. And I did that today. The short devotion was titled, "The End of the Story" and referenced the scripture above from Ecclesiastes.

Being in the middle of my life's story, King Solomon's words really struck a cord...and chord.

Several of my chapters have already been completed--they're finished, done. Written and already sent to the publisher. And, then there are the chapters I'm in the process of writing. I'm sure, before they're completed, I will have erased, deleted, gone back to start over and rewrite many of them. But eventually, those chapters will be finished and will be added to "The Regina Story" compilation.

How my story ends--whether good, bad or indifferent--I realized, is entirely up to me. What a profound thought to have while trying to rest... At the same time, I also realized that the chapters in the middle...the not so good ones...really don't matter. This "middle" I'm currently in will have an impact on my last chapter, but it's not really as important as the end. The mistakes I've made, missed opportunities, bad judgment, harsh words---all the 'bad' stuff sandwiched in between my beginning and end....is not as important as I once had thought.

While every chapter of my life story is important, what matters in the end...is the end.

So what do I want my ending to be? A happy one, of course. (I hate movies or books that end tragically.) Not only happy, but an ending that reflects a life filled with love, laughter, music and family; a life lived with unselfish determination, compassion, no regrets, with nothing left unsaid or undone. To use my talents, to give my love away, expecting no reward or gain in return--that would make a happy ending.

To know I made a difference in at least one person's life--that would make a happy ending.

And, to have these words written as my last sentence--

"Well done, my good and faithful servant..."

THE END