I had a powerful dream last night. I was driving an old blue pick-up truck along a dusty, country road. I had no idea where I was going or how I got there. Suddenly I saw a short, stout man with black hair and thick glasses walking along the side of the road. I stopped and offered him a ride. He climbed in and we rode along in silence for awhile. Then I realized something. The pick-up I was driving was my Dad’s old one and the person riding beside me was my Dad who died over ten years ago. I turned to say something to him but before I could he squeezed my hand, smiled, and said: “Keep up the good work, son.”

I woke up with a start. My heart was aching. I stumbled into the bathroom and wiped the tears from my eyes. I wondered why my Dad would visit me in a dream and tell me what he did. I remembered how recently I’d gotten into a bad habit of criticizing myself whenever I missed an opportunity to do something good or to help another person. I had been condemning myself a lot and perhaps my Dad needed to give me a gentle reminder that I was a good person who was doing his best to love God, himself, and everyone else.

There is an old blessing that goes, “My child, may you live all the days of your life.” I have learned over the years that to truly live means to truly love. To live means to be kind, to do good, to help others, to have peace, to share happiness, and to scatter joy. To live means to help Our Heavenly Father to make this world a better place with all the talent, time, brains, and heart that we have. We may not always succeed in doing so, but each day is a new chance to try again.

I am so grateful to Dad for giving me that gentle reminder. I am so grateful to God for giving me new chances every day to live my life and share my love. May you keep up your own good work too. May you live each day with a love so bright that Heaven smiles down upon you.