Friday, March 14, 2008

Death comes calling

Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 3:2 that there is “a time to be born, and a time to die.” So, each of us comes into this world leaving. We don’t know when nor where it will happen. We are just encouraged to live for the Lord, endure in this life, and one day we will go home to meet the Lord.

This past week has been one of home-going for several people we know. First, it was a cousin of my Mother’s. He left us at the age of 86. Then came my Daddy’s niece who was also 86. Both of these had lived a long and full life. One had cancer for many years and the other had gotten to the point she was only here, didn’t know anyone. But, still her sister told me tonight that she would be missed because ‘although she wasn’t herself, she was with us’.

And, last night we learned of my husband’s niece dying in the nursing home where she had been the last 6 years after a tragic accident that left her paralyzed and unable to speak. But, she had her right mind and knew you, just unable to communicate except with her eyes and moving her head for yes or no. And, what hurt is the fact she was the young age of 60. At the age of 54 her expected life came to a halt. She had been the manager of the local branch bank in her hometown. But, that faithful day, she and a friend had gone out to lunch. They had started across the highway to the cleaners and were hit broadside by a drunk driver that ran a red light. Life went on for 6 years, but not in the expected way. That day will never leave my mind, considering it was on my granddaughter’s 12th birthday. Bill’s niece died exactly 1 day after the 6th anniversary of that accident.

Death will come to each of us sooner or later. But, we are encouraged to live our lives as though today would be our last. Always be ready to face God regardless of the day or time. Live for him fully, place your trust in Him and His promises to us. He will never leave nor forsake us. No matter what we got through in our lives, He is to help us overcome. And, when death comes calling, He is ready to give us comfort and the peace that passes all understanding.

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