Death is a topic that generally is not talked about by most people. There is always a sense of finality and sorrow associated with it. We are saddened by the mere thought of it. Though we as humans do our best to avoid death, it still happens.
Twelve days ago, My dad lost his Rita. Thirteen and a half years ago my Mother died, leaving my Dad in a world of hurt. God brought Rita into his life the next year. She gave him balance again. We, as a family accepted and loved Rita, as did she of us. Her death came as a sudden shock. She was diagnosed with cancer three weeks prior, had just completed radiation treatments and been told that she could expect 2-7 years before it took her. She didn't get her 2 years, but rather a mere 3 weeks, passing in her sleep - peacefully and now pain free.
The grieving process has set in for her family and my Dad. This has presented opportunities for me to share God's love for us and His plan for our eternity with my Dad. Does this remove the grief? Not really, but it does change the perceived finality of death. As each of us must deal with death at some point of our lives, it is easier to accept knowing that only through death will we see life eternal.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The End of a Year
Why is it that the end of a year brings on a time of reflection of the past year? I have wondered and pondered over this question multiple times - usually at the end of a year. It seems that we do our reflecting at this time of year for several reasons.
1) A new year is ready to begin. As we look ahead, we are determined to try to make it a better year than we have ever had, thus we look back to see where we can improve.
2) We tend to not be satisfied with areas of our lives and we go into recall mode to identify these areas in order to remedy them.
3) We have made it through the Holiday season of hustle bustle from mid November through Christmas, finally able to relax and let our guard down.
4) We anticipate expected changes ahead of us and want to compare the changes to the past and plan ahead.
All this reflection leads us to (again) make a list of 'New Years Resolutions' Do we really plan to make all the changes we resolve to do? Usually, we begin with the full intent but life doesn't always cooperate with our plans.
This year, my resolution is to seek more fully what God desires for me to do. Do I expect a full list to be revealed on January 1st? No, this list will most likely change and be added to quite often. I guess then, reflecting on the past year(s), I can honestly say that my New Years Resolution is to become a better servant, becoming more pliable and available to be used of Him.
That being said, I can now say: HAPPY NEW YEAR - Ed
1) A new year is ready to begin. As we look ahead, we are determined to try to make it a better year than we have ever had, thus we look back to see where we can improve.
2) We tend to not be satisfied with areas of our lives and we go into recall mode to identify these areas in order to remedy them.
3) We have made it through the Holiday season of hustle bustle from mid November through Christmas, finally able to relax and let our guard down.
4) We anticipate expected changes ahead of us and want to compare the changes to the past and plan ahead.
All this reflection leads us to (again) make a list of 'New Years Resolutions' Do we really plan to make all the changes we resolve to do? Usually, we begin with the full intent but life doesn't always cooperate with our plans.
This year, my resolution is to seek more fully what God desires for me to do. Do I expect a full list to be revealed on January 1st? No, this list will most likely change and be added to quite often. I guess then, reflecting on the past year(s), I can honestly say that my New Years Resolution is to become a better servant, becoming more pliable and available to be used of Him.
That being said, I can now say: HAPPY NEW YEAR - Ed
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