How did he live?

Everyone is concerned about how MJ died but the question really should be: How did he live? And before passing any judgment that should be a question for us all … how did you live? A long time ago I found a quote by Betty Feezor (a 60s tv personality from Charlotte) that said "Live, so that when you are gone, it would have mattered that you were here." Very profound words.In my fifty years I have remained on earth while witnessing the passing of grandparents, church friends, and even students who have died much too young. Death is a fact of life but living is where it's really at.Last summer my husband's family endured the illness and death of his oldest brother; a man who lived his final years quietly inspiring those with brain injuries and MS; as he was a victim of those himself. This past spring I lost a dear friend named Doris to cancer; a woman who one day decided she wanted to teach and wow what a gift! She spent her final years quietly imparting her wisdom and teaching important skills to children in a most patient and loving manner. This past week in the chaos surrounding the deaths of show business icons, Elaine slipped quietly into eternal sleep after living a lifetime giving to all of her students everything that was within her to give after she first gave unselfishly to her family and church family. My friend DJ was simply riding home one Saturday afternoon and his life ended rounding a curve just feet from home. Now he is eternally home but while here, he lived a simple, quiet life absolutely in love with his wife and daughter and all of his other family members.There are no televised 911 calls wondering about the last few minutes of the lives of these people. There are no hour long interviews with doctors, no famous preachers calling for second opinions, no doubts about the future of their family members, yet these quiet people lived lives of dignity, unselfishness, faithfulness, joy, peace, kindness, and love. The marks they left on the world will be marks on the hearts of those people who were touched by significant and random acts of kindness. They left the world virtually unknown, touching a small crowd that, in turn, touched another small crowd, which, in turn touched another small crowd.
The point is this … why are we concerned about HOW he died and WHY he died then HOW HE LIVED? The Scripture says, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wickedness. For the LORD GOD is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you !” (Ps. 84:10-12)
God calls some people to become famous, some He calls to remain anonymous, some He calls to lead quiet, gentle lives. I want to constantly think eternally ..... to consider being a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in lavishness, chained to this world. And when I come to die, just give me Jesus.