A vapor is diffused matter like smoke or fog, floating in the air.

Apostle Paul says our lives are like that…we are present one moment, then we’re not.

I attended the funeral of a young friend’s mother, who was the caregiver for my friend’s younger sister, who had terminal cancer. The mother had died suddenly of a massive heart attack.

Side Note: According to a 2020 Washington Post article, caregivers are 63% more likely to die within four years than a similar group who don't provide care for their spouses.

A 2021 DailyCaring article states that 45% of caregivers have serious chronic health conditions, which is almost double the rate for non-caregivers!

60% of caregivers also report fair or poor health status, one or more chronic conditions, or a disability, which is also almost double the rate for non-caregivers!

During the eulogy (during the service), the terminally ill daughter dies!

Absolutely unbelievable!

I left there thinking, What do I need to do before my time is up? What is God expecting me to accomplish?

Then, I took it a step further and asked myself, Would I be ready right now?

After my time on earth, when those closest to me go through my belongings, my computer, my finances, my last text messages, my few social media posts...what will they find?

Will I have left a mess or blessed them?

Many things are out of our control, but for those things, we have the ability to control, now is the time to control them!

1. Get yourself in order! Have you noticed when our phone battery life is on red, we start looking for a charger and an outlet?
   
   How about putting that same kind of priority on our health and personal growth as we do our phones. Schedule that health check-up you’ve been putting off. It could prevent potential disaster in your health and finances.
2. Get your surroundings in order. Our home speaks of who we are. It represents our life. Finish what you start and take care of what you have now.
3. Get your finances in order. Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.”
   
   • Budget – Have a plan for your money and tell it where to go.

   • Tithe – Give God His 10% of all your earnings – first!

   • Save – Then pay yourself next and create margins for unexpected expenses.

4. Get your future in order. Get life insurance. Get a will. Get a trust. If your family counts on your income, you need life insurance. And if you don’t want the government to decide who gets your stuff, you need a will. And if you want to keep your affairs out of the public domain, get a trust.
5. Get your goals in order. Goals are our dreams with deadlines.Set measurable goals you can accomplish in a month, six months, a year, 2 years, etc. Write your goals down, be specific, and assign a deadline to accomplish them.

The lesson is…when we get our stuff in order, life is not a vapor, our positive legacy makes a difference that lives on...forever!