Lent Day 32: Death work, just in time

One of our friends is walking her dad through his funeral program. They're not anticipating the actual day of his death of course, but they're discussing how his memorial celebration will be carried out. What a gift her father is leaving his family.

Scripture tells us to number our days. That life has limits. A dear friend is dying of cancer. Soon she will walk though the door from this life to the next if God does not intervene.

Her days, like mine and yours, are marked out for her from the beginning of time. Consider this: Adam would still be alive if humans didn't have to die. Think about that - every person born ... still alive.

Why do we avoid planning the end of this life? We know it's coming.

God does not guarantee an evening for each morning you or I awaken. One evening or some morning is crossed off your schedule and mine. We'll be dead. (Some days I'm more excited about that than others. Like my father-in-law said, 10 days before he died, "I can't wait! Soon I'll see what I've only believe. How wonderful will that be!")

Here's a question for you: how much do you love your siblings, your husband / wife, or your kids? Have you proved it by writing your will and appointing an executor to prevent a family hassle of apportioning assets and memorabilia? Wouldn't you hate to leave behind a mess that loved ones have to clean up, emotionally and physically? (Or don't you care that much about others? "After all, I'll be gone.")

Here's another question: Are you buildling a worthwhile legacy? How would you like to be remembered once your stuff is out of the way? 

Read more:

*Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1 NLT

*In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Psalm 57:1 NLT

*In Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 NLT

*You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:11 NLT

Moravian Prayer: In the shadow of your wings may we take refuge this day in you, Father eagle and Mother hen. As we lean into your enfolding presence, may we feel your heartbeat, the comfort of your nearness, and your life-giving love.

Today, speak again your words of comfort and love, O Christ, saying, “Peace be with you”. May we hear these words in such a way that we are freed to see ourselves and others through your loving eyes. Amen.

Don't cry for me

This week two countries grieve the loss of their leaders. Czechs lit candles for their departed leader. To those of us in the West, the tears and wailing over North Korea's dictator's death seems surreal. How could people mourn someone who brought them poverty, hunger, and alienation from the rest of the world?

We come into this world and leave it alone. No one asks for our permission to begin or end our days. Only God knows the length and breadth of our lifetime.

It's been a great treat to watch Kinsey, our first grandchild, begin her development. Her personality has not yet emerged, but one thing is clear. She likes people and blossoms around them, as does her sweet mother.

Her Opa watches her every Friday night. When she wails and he can't comfort her, Oma knows the tricks to putting her to sleep. Oh, I can't wait to get this degree done so I can relax with her, too. Our house feels like it is slowly but surely being invaded by baby stuff. (Yeah, Mom, I remember the same thing happening to your place when our kids were little.)

What will life bring her? We don't know what aspirations will drive her, what her hopes will be, if she will marry and have a family, and if she will be beautiful or plain. We hope she has great joy and health, influences people toward a relationship with Jesus Christ, and lives a long, full life in a peaceful country.



Looking at the pictures of the outpouring of sympathy for this week's two dead men, I doubt that either she or I will generate such festivities in passing. I'd like to be remembered for loving others, serving with genuine care, and seeking after God with all my heart. Whether or not anyone lights a candle in my memory, I hope they don't cry for me.

Christians enjoy the wonderful hope of walking through death's door to be with God. That's what we were created for, and that will be the ultimate fulfillment. It's worth living a holy life that pleases God.

This Christmas, I'm thrilled to accept God's ultimate gift, a relationship made possible by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of his Son. Thinking about that makes me want to celebrate! 

Read more:

"The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity." Proverbs 11:20 (NLT)

*Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  

      Behold, your King is coming to you;  

      He is just and having salvation,  

      Lowly and riding on a donkey,  

      A colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
      And the horse from Jerusalem;
      The battle bow shall be cut off.
      He shall speak peace to the nations;
      His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea,
      And from the River to the ends of the earth." Zechariah 9:9-10 NKJV

*2 Samuel 7:1-11,16; Luke 1:47-55 Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

*Do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Jeremiah 25:6 NLV

* The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:49

*Even though there may be so-called gods - for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:5, 6 NLV

Moravian prayer: One true God, we are on bended knee. We are not always deserving of your wellspring of all that is good. Empower us to better serve your kingdom here on earth and to be gracious stewards of all that you have entrusted to us. Amen.