Ignite your DASH

Posted On December 30, 2022

IN 2023

While searching in 2008 for curriculum for my Leadership class at the high school, I found a powerful poem. It made such an impact on me that I didn’t just want to share it with my leadership class, I wanted all the students and staff in the school to consider the words of the poem. So, I made a copy of the poem for everyone and wrote a lesson to go along with it. One day, all the teachers taught the lesson and then everyone in the building was given a T-shirt that said, “2008-2009. How did you spend your dash?”

The students liked it so well, that they chose it for their yearbook theme and, with the permission of the author, the poem was printed on the front of the yearbook.

I now want to share with you the poem and message I shared with my church on January 4, 2016 (with the year updated). I hope it gives you something to consider as you look forward to 2023!

In 239 words, the poem’s author captures the simple truth of why we were put on this earth. Joseph Epstein once said, “We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents or the country of our birth. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we live. That is a gift from God.

SLOW DOWN

Let’s look closer at the 2nd half of the poem. “If we could just slow down enough.”

Mac Anderson, Founder of Successories wrote the book I found the poem in. He explains that “in the race to be better or best, we sometimes lose sight of ‘just being.’ And just being, just soaking in and savoring a beautiful moment, can provide some of life’s greatest pleasures.”

https://www.simpletruths.com/personal-inspiration/the-dash.html

In 2023, I hope you slow down enough to savor your DASH.

CONSIDER WHAT’S TRUE AND REAL

1 John 3:18-20 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

I hope you read the bible more in 2023 because it teaches you what is true and real so you can optimize your DASH.

TRY TO UNDERSTAND HOW OTHER PEOPLE FEEL

This can be very difficult because no matter how much we try, we cannot know what another person feels. I found this commentary about Mark 23:30-31 in my bible. It says, “In the Bible, love is more than a feeling; it is a decision to serve another person’s interest. Only through God’s help can this decision be made with all our heart.”

In 2023, I hope your DASH includes trying to consider the feelings of others through love.

AND SHOW APPRECIATION MORE

A conference speaker once challenged her listeners to close their eyes and think about someone who at some time in their lives had rekindled their inner light. About two months later she received an emotional phone call from a man who had taken her advice. He said he had written his 8th grade literature teacher because she was everyone’s favorite teacher and had really made a difference in all of their lives. He then read the letter the teacher had sent back to him.

“Dear John,

You will never know how much your letter meant to me. I am 83 years old, and I am living all alone in one room. My friends are all gone. My family’s gone. I taught for 50 years and yours is the first ‘thank you’ letter I have ever gotten from a student. Sometimes I wonder what I did with my life. I will read and reread your letter until the day I die.”

He sobbed on the phone as he said, “Every class reunion we’ve had, she is always the one we talked about. She was everyone’s favorite teacher. We loved her! But no one had ever told her!”

In your 2023 DASH, show appreciation to God and to those who least expect it!

LOVE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER LOVED BEFORE

It is written in Mark 12:29-31, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?‘

‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'”

John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Love God and love your neighbor as yourself during your 2023 DASH.

TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT

George Washington Carver once wrote, “How far you go in your life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”

In Romans 14:1, it is written, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” Paul continues in verses 10-11, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”

DASH into 2023 by treating others with respect.

AND MORE OFTEN WEAR A SMILE…

Some of my favorite scripture is found in Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Make a DASH across your face with a smile in 2023.

Fred Branco Lived His Dash Well

When I first prepared this message for my church, the late Rev. Fred Branco immediately came to my mind. Fred was our pastor in my home church for seven years from 1992-1999 (my best guess). He passed away on April 29, 2015. Several from my church traveled to St. Charles to attend his funeral. His obituary is rather brief.

“Branco, Frederick Daniel, of Saint Charles, MO, died on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the age of 78. Loving husband of Shirley Branco; beloved son of the late Carl and Dorothy Branco; devoted father of David (Marsha) Branco and Stephen (Cassandra) Branco; cherished grandfather of Erin, Marshall, Jocelyn, Daniel, Bryan, Benjamin, and Carrie Branco, Adrienne, and Eric Pitts; treasured great-grandfather of Peyton McElroy; also survived by many nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers Richard and Dean Branco.

Frederick was born and raised in Holstein, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Frederick worked in a small animal practice, then in the USDA Meat Inspection Program, and finally as a United Methodist Pastor. He was a beloved friend to many, locally and throughout Missouri. Frederick enjoyed farming, traveling with his RV, camping, hiking, and canoeing. Frederick loved spending time at his favorite coffee shops, including Picasso’s and Crooked Tree. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.”

But this does not really tell the true story of how this man lived his Dash. He meant so much more to many! Both he and his wife, Shirley, cared very much for the kids. I know from working at the school that many of the kids who were not from our church knew who he was and really appreciated his interest in their lives. He just naturally earned their respect! He didn’t just affect our church when a pastor. His influence has carried on as many of the young people he cared for are now the leaders in our church.

A friend, Pam C., shared his obituary on Facebook saying, “Loved this Pastor. Every time I read a Max Lucado book for some reason it’s in Fred’s voice.” She received lots of comments on her post, some of which I’d like to share with you.

“Rev. Branco what an awesome man, he will be missed.”

Marlissa D.

“Thank you, Aunt Pam, he was certainly a great man.”

Charles M.

“I loved him as well. A great loss for us…a great saint in the heavenlies!”

Pat H.

“He was such a gentle, wise person, prayers for his family…”

Phyllis H.

“No other pastor compares. Looking forward to seeing him again some day.”

Lori H.

Another friend, Suzie B. posted a picture of Fred with the 21 kids in one of his confirmation classes with the words, “What a wonderful pastor and friend we had at Pleasant Grove in Fred Branco. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.” Some comments on her post were:

“We loved Pastor Fred!”

Sally C.

“I will always remember him congratulating us after every football game. He will be missed.”

Matt B.

“Sorry to hear this news. Even though we don’t go to Hatton Church he always knew us and our kids by name. Great guy!”

Janet E.

“Reverend Branco was our preacher starting my seventh-grade year through my senior year. The Lord blessed our church with a wonderful man during a vulnerable time in my life. I specifically remember one summer night sitting in the parking lot of Show Me Oil with a group of friends trying to decide what we were going to do. Reverend Branco pulled in to buy something in the store and as he came out, he walked over to us and visited for a while. Right before he walked away, he looked right at me and said, ‘You guys be careful. I want to see you in church tomorrow morning.’ I had an enormous amount of respect for the man and that was a life-changing moment for me. What a man he was!”

Brett S.

“Very well said Brett! Last night I went to bed and couldn’t fall asleep, trying to decide if I was going to put in for a sub to go to the funeral or not. I lay there thinking of what a huge impact he had on my life and though I made some decisions at that time period I am not proud of; he loved me and accepted me when I didn’t love or accept myself. At 2 am I decided I needed to go to the funeral to honor the man who (along with my mother and grandfather) shaped my spiritual journey, made me love my church, my church family, and Jesus! The memories shared today (at the funeral) reminded me of all the great attributes he had. His love for youth, what they were doing and their wellbeing is what I strive for as a mother and a teacher! You will be missed by many and the lives you helped shape will continue for many years.”

Amy C.

“He came to all the North Callaway ball games. I loved that. He brought so many kids into our church.”

Stephen B.

You see, Fred didn’t accomplish things that you list in an obituary. Instead, he got to know the people of the community by being at the ball games, visiting with people wherever he chanced to meet them. He went fishing with the guys and met them in the coffee shops. He loved spending time in the shopping malls and bookstores, where he’d strike up conversations with anyone.

He was an avid reader. One of the speakers at his funeral explained that he would read anything from why salmon swim upstream to spawn to a biography about Donald Trump just so he would be more knowledgeable about many topics when he’d strike up a conversation with a stranger. After getting to know the person, he could then subtly share the story of salvation with them.

Fred Branco was someone who spent his DASH well.

So Will You Be Proud?

The poem ends with

“So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?“

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to finish out living my life in a way that will result in my family being proud of the things people could say about how I spent my dash.

In the middle of this poem are these words, “So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change?” Romans 10:9-13 tells us about the greatest thing we can do that will change us forever. “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

If accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the change you desire for your 2023 DASH, I urge you to make that decision now.

Prayer for 2023

Lord, help us to realize the things we need to change and give us the strength, courage and willingness to change them. We thank you for your son who died for our sins. We praise you for your awesomeness and for how you created us through love and for a purpose. Help us to show that love to others. Father, forgive us when we fail you and help us to live a life that is pleasing in your sight. Lord, help us to make 2023 one of the best parts of our DASH! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Ending Thought

“I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile…remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?”

The Apostle Paul compares our journey through life as a race. Let the “2023 DASH” be your best race yet! My hope is your eulogy can truthfully include “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

See also my Expect the Unexpected post as you head into the new year.