Wednesday, March 26, 2008

A good day to die!

Is it ever a good day to die? I'm not sure that there's a right or wrong answer to that question, but if I had the option of picking a day to die, I must admit that there's something poetic about it being during Easter weekend. My mother-in-law passed away quietly in her sleep on Saturday (technically, that would mean that she and Jesus were both dead during the same time frame). I'm not trying to be morbid here, I'm simply walking through my own grieving process by reflecting on life and death, afterall, both are invevitable if you're reading this. Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. In times past, I've wondered why good people have to suffer or hurt. Why do the innocent suffer? Lately I don't ask that question because I'm beginning to observe that those who have been most battered by life seem to have a greater grasp and understanding of the love of Jesus.


His reassuring presence and love find their way into the deepest and darkest recesses of the lives of people who have walked a hard road, because, regardless of our circumstances, God is always there to meet our needs. In the few days since my mother-in-laws home going, this fact has been demonstrated time and time again in the most powerful of ways. The prayers, support, and love we've received have been invaluable as well as a deep source of strength for us. Death, for those who believe in Jesus, is not the end, it is the beginning of the greatest life conceivable. So while we struggle to come to terms with the hole left by my mother-in-laws absence, we are confident that she is enjoying the greatest life she ever dreamed of, a life we can only look forward to. As usual, I find that there are those who express these sentiments so much better than I can. Here's how Max Lucado says it:

"If you have no faith in the future, then you have no power in the present. If you have no faith in the life beyond this life, then your present life is going to be powerless. But if you believe in the future and are assured of victory, then there should be a dance in your step and a smile on your face."

2 comments:

Alison G. Altmayer said...

Joseph,

it must be a hard time for you and your family. My mom passed away on February 2007 and up to this day I suffer. It is hard to conceive that we dont "lose" people, as they dont belong to us. Their absence is what hurts, the lack of their love and their attention.

Let´s pray that she (your mother in law) is in good hands :-)

Joseph said...

Alison, thanks for your concern. Having lost your mum recently, I'm certain you know what it feels like to grieve the loss of someone so dear. As for praying that she is in good hands, we have it on good authority that she is. :)