Life…
There are so many people that are hurting today. I am sure that as you read this you can think of someone in your circle of family and friends who are sick and dying or maybe has already died.
The older I get the more I realize that life is short. We are not given that many years on this earth to live. For some of us, the time is shorter than others. But nonetheless, we have all been given the opportunity to live for a time. Do we realize the importance of savoring every moment with those that we love?
Family
As I write this I have an Uncle who is dying. It has been hard on my mom, as she has lost her family members one by one. Although I have memories of my Uncle they are very few. We didn’t live close together so did not spend a lot of time with him.
One memory I have is going to my grandma’s and stacking wood. I don’t remember my age but I do remember how much respect I had for my uncle. We were tossing wood onto the stack. My uncle threw a piece and as it landed on the stack a piece came back and hit him in the mouth. It hurt really badly but he did not say a “word”. It was so bad that it actually destroyed at least one tooth but it may have been two. He was so calm about it despite his much pain. It may have been because I was there but it still had an impact on me.
Another memory was when I was so sick with Lyme disease. I don’t remember how far I was into it but he came for a visit. He came specifically to fast and pray for me, he has such a heart of gold. In the two days that he spent with us, he spent most of the time praying for me.
I love him and it is hard to see him suffering. As I write this I know that he may be gone before I actually submit this writing. I pray that God will be merciful with him in his suffering. I am looking forward to the day that I will see him again.
Friends
We have a dear friend, while I am writing, that has passed away. We have known this family for over 30 years. They have been a special part of our lives, although, in the last few years we have not spent as much time together. It seems that when you don’t live as close or go to the same church each week you kind of lose touch with people.
Oh, what memories we have. We visited him a few weeks ago and were reminiscing about things we did together. One of those memories was snowmobiling. When we were younger and only had a couple of kids we would go snowmobiling to a cabin with this couple. There were 3 of us couples that would go once or twice a winter. If I am remembering correctly it was a 30-mile ride to the cabin. It was so beautiful.
We would arrive on a Friday evening. This cabin was not a place that had all the conveniences. There was a generator for electricity. A wood stove for heating the place and a wood cookstove for cooking. There was running water you could have after turning it on but no hot water. There was no refrigerator but that was no problem because there was snow. Our refrigerator was out the back door in the snowbank. Also out the back door was a path to the outhouse. When you went out to use the outhouse you had to scrape the frost off the toilet seat.
Time together
But what fun we had. We would sit around and visit together on Friday evening while we warmed up next to the wood stove. Our family slept upstairs and how hot it would get. But once that fire went out it would get mighty cold.
The next day we would gather something together for a small lunch and then we would go out for a ride in nature. The beauty was spectacular, to be able to look across the snow and see miles of white with the beauty of the green trees. It reminded me of what Christ wants to do in our lives. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” Isaiah 1:18,19.
Sometimes we would eat out on the trail and sometimes come back and eat lunch and then go for a walk. To be honest some of the memories are a little fuzzy but the reality is we had a great time. Then Saturday night we would play games and just had an amazing time visiting.
Those were weekends I will never forget. This man was an amazing person. He may not have been old enough to be my dad but I felt the love of a dad from him. He always wanted to be sure I was okay and taken care of. My heartaches that distance and the business of life kept us from getting together much later on. He will be missed greatly by many but most especially his wife and children.
More remembering
Another thing that we did with our friends one summer was going to Rosario Beach near Deception Pass. My husband remembers this time as being a very special time for him. I know we did several things together but I can’t remember what they all were. But the real special times were just sitting around, in the little cabin they rented and visiting. You could not be with these friends without having a great time. We spent time in laughter! It was always so great to spend time together.
The Lord was important to our friend. He had not been a Christian all his life but when he allowed the Lord to change him, He shined through him. He was always willing to help us when we had a need, which he did more than once. And I know that he helped many others as well. He was a leader in his church and always did his jobs faithfully. I knew that he was in love with the Lord.
How long…
Once you find out someone has cancer the question always comes, how long will he or she live? But what does this question mean and what part of the question is most important? I believe the most important life is eternal. Physically dying isn’t easy but if you are ready spiritually it is nothing to fear. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” Matthew 10:28.
There is no fear of death for my uncle because he is so close to God. He knows that there is a better land. There is nothing to fear when his physical body is gone. He knows in whom he believes. And when the time comes when he goes to sleep he will go to sleep in Jesus. Our friend is now sleeping in Jesus. He has no more pain or worries. Although I know he didn’t want to leave behind those he loved he is now at peace.
So how long will my uncle and friend live? I believe they will live for eternity. Someday soon Jesus will come and raise up all those that have kept the faith. This is the most important event and I want to be ready for it. And I want to be reunited with all those that have gone before me. I am looking forward to my daughter being placed in my arms. It will be such a blessing to be reunited with grandparents, parents, family, and friends. What a day that will be. And I think it is closer than any of us realize.
God has promised us this amazing promise, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” 1Thessalonians 4:16-17. And I am looking forward to its fulfillment.
Dear Father,
How I long for the day of Your coming. I am looking forward to no more pain or tears. Please comfort those who are hurting. We thank You for Your love and care.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Remember He knows your sorrows. He will be carrying you.
How has the Lord helped you through losing a loved one? Share words of comfort.