Lent Day 25: Thanks for health

Another one of our "old friends" died this week. She suffered a stroke and for almost a decade depended on others to help her get around. Finally, she spent the last few months in extended care, wishing and hoping for release. "I just want to go Home," she would say.

It was great to pull into the driveway after a 19 mile pedal round-trip for lunch today. "You can be grateful for your health," said Mom when we talked on the phone.

I agree. Every day is a gift from God. Those with health challenges know how long and painful a day can be. Often we don't know how wonderful it is to be well until we lose our mobility or independence.

Even as we say goodbye to Tante Friedel this weekend, we thank God for his presence, whether in easy or difficult days. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He paid a mighty ransom to purchase us for himself. And when life ends, we go to be with him. That's real hope and comfort.

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*For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

*Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

*For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies." 2 Corinthians 5:1–3 NLT