I'm going to start this with the appropriate story that is on my mind from time to time:

I remember, back when I graduated high school. That was over 10 years ago now, but it's supposed to be one of the happiest days of anyone's life, right? It's one of those first big steps into adulthood. I was relieved not to have to roam along the hallways of that school that many of us often joked about being a prison.

The next fall semester, I was officially signed up for college classes. I wasn't too thrilled that I tested so low on the placement tests, even in subjects that I was great at. I was frustrated with that idea, but I got through it over time and did exceptionally well, of course, in the "low placement classes" that many teachers and students swore were scams so the school would get more money in the long run.

There was a girl in my reading class (I know, I'm so embarrassed! I passed with flying colors, though - it was the easiest A of my life and felt like a giant waste of time) that I recognized. We'll just call her Sarah. I remembered Sarah from high school - she was one of those interesting personalities that would pop up here and there on an inconsistent basis.

For a while, Sarah and I during our freshman year of high school were in the same science class. For some reason, though, she was only in it for a few weeks. We had at least one group project together before suddenly she stopped going to that class and never returned, but it was a shame because she was a delightful and funny person.

For some reason she would show up on the same bus route I'd ride from time to time and I never knew why. I wondered if perhaps she was staying at a friend's house or if her parents were possibly divorced and she was at one parent's house sometimes and not at others so perhaps that'd explain why she was on the bus once in a while for a few days at a time and then not again for a long time. I never knew the truth, but she would usually listen to her music in her seat and close her eyes on the early morning bus ride so I didn't always talk to her.

I remember one of the times her riding the same bus after school, which wasn't usual, but she asked if she could sit next to me and I allowed it. We talked for a bit and she listened to music for a while.

At school, there was once or twice where she had caught up to me in passing hour and would say something like, "Hey, I know you! What's up? How've you been?" and things like that. It seemed like she just kept showing up in my life at school and I never knew why. It was hardly ever expected, but always a pleasant surprise. I wasn't generally the most social of people, but I would ask how she was and smile and we'd laugh at a thing or two.

I saw her so intermittently that we never formed more than a acquaintance status, but she seemed like she'd be a wonderful friend.

Fast forward to college reading class, it was nice to see Sarah sitting behind me. We were talking about how we remembered some of the subject matter on the board already from high school and weren't sure how we managed to get into reading class in the first place. It was comforting to see someone so familiar in the same college class.

Things were seemingly going great. I can't remember how far it was into this class...seemed it was within the first or second week of class. I remember one morning, I believe it was before class, my mom said, "Did you know a Sarah _________? She's about your age?" and I said, "That sounds so familiar. I do know her. I just can't put a face to the name." She told me, "She passed away in a single vehicle car accident. Roll over." When I pulled out my year book, I saw Sarah's face...my heart sank. I couldn't believe it.

When I went to class, she wasn't there. The teacher did role call. "Sarah ____?" A student stood up and said, "Ms. _______, Sarah didn't make it to class today....she died. Her car rolled." The teacher was awe struck as were most of us that knew who she was. Later in class, the teacher was handing back papers and called our names to come get our paper. She mistakenly said, "Sarah...? Oh...wait...I'm so sorry. Forgive me." Took a breath before she went on to the next name.

Sarah wasn't old, barely 18. She was one of the nicest souls I'd come across, but I'm grieved that I didn't know her better. After all these years, when I think about her popping up in my life...I can't help but think now that God wanted me to reach out to her and tell her the gospel and...I didn't crying now, it's too late. I hope deep down that she was a saved Christian, but there's no way for me to know...no way at all.

I've had other friends in my much younger years that were in my life for a time before they passed away and wondered if I was meant to share the gospel with them before their time ran out. These types of things make me feel ashamed of myself and it's too late now sweatdrop

So, while you have the chance in life, share the gospel. Not just with the ones you love and hold dear, but to everyone the moment you're able. You never know when you may never be given the chance again and then it's too late. About 150,000 people die each day. We never know when it's our time.