Death and Dying
WARNING, don’t read this if you don’t like morbidity. I’m about to talk about one of two inevitables, death and taxes…I really hate them both. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.
The older I get, the harder life is getting because people I know and love are disappearing from the earth, I mean dying. I’m tempted to shake my fist at God because so much of it I don’t understand, because I love life, because I love people, and then I fall to my knees when I realize how little I can do about it. You see, I can believe what I want about God, but it doesn’t change Whom He is one bit—it only changes who I am.
We think we are SO in control. Death and taxes are only two obvious items completely out of our control. Can you make yourself taller by choosing to be so? Can you turn yourself into an Olympic athlete without the required health and talent? Can you make the sun come out on a cloudy day? How many more and better questions I could ask that show how powerless I am in multiple ways? Who am I, Susie Talbot, to shake my fist at God when He determines it’s time for His created one to die?
We saw the new movie EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES, the true story of a family fighting for the lives of their two beautiful children. It was inspiring at the very least. The love that went on within that family was truly Brady Bunchish and better. They didn’t let the children’s Pompe disease get in the way of fun and laughter every day in every way they could make it happen. The outcome of the real life story is amazing. I won’t ruin the story’s outcome if you haven’t seen it.
My point—the parents fought a good fight to find a cure for their children. They didn’t give up. Do I fight that hard for the people I know and love? It’s bad enough for the body to die, but if the soul perishes without saving knowledge and grace from God, through Jesus Christ because His children don’t speak up, then that is true disaster.
If you read my blog, you probably already know what fuels me. You also know that I do love people and would be the last one to pound religion on them. Even God doesn’t pound on anyone to follow Him. He only knocks at the door of each heart, which must be opened from the inside. He won’t barge in, but only knocks. He’s gentle. He leaves it up to us whether or not we choose to open that door.
It’s not about being good. That’s impossible. If you know me, you know that I’ve failed often at that. It’s about being open to Truth. If you don’t know Truth yet, ask a “higher power” out there for it and it’ll come to you. Remember the movie line, “If you build, they will come.” If you seek the truth, you will find Him, the One Who knit you together in your mother’s womb.
Yep, we’re still gonna die, but if there is a remote chance that our spirit man within us lives on, I’m prepared. Not because I’m more special than anybody, but because of Who He is. If you’ve read this, I pray you too are prepared.
This is my love letter to you, From Susie
I got a little worried when I saw the title of this post.
ReplyDeleteI like the last line of the second paragraph about God not changing.
Tonight the way to sign in is different like your blog. You write what is in your heart and make people feel so much. Thanks. Diane
ReplyDeleteWe spend years sending our kids to school and preparing them to go out on their own. We are sad when the kids leave the nest, but we are glad that they are on their way to better things.
ReplyDeleteTo the believer, death is like when the kid leaves home. The departed moves on to better things and the living people miss them and look forward to when they will be with them again.
If we really believe, death is a good thing when it comes.
I also believe God allows people to be sick to provide opportunities for the suffer and those who love the suffer to do great things. Like the family in your post who did so much for each other.
My last comment is that I'd rather die from living and doing good than to just exist by protecting myself from sin and danger.