Not so much as a whisper, not a whimper, a calm unlike anything being felt before. Coming to terms with going home. Sometimes the walk is short sometimes much longer than what we could ever imagine, everyone starting at the same and ending in the same place.
I am speaking of course of dying. I met Margaret's daughter in the hallway on the sixth floor of the hospital. Wringing her hands, pain in her eyes, her mother not good as she explained to a friend in the hallway. Getting ready to leave, I stopped to talk with her, she seemed so distraught. .
We prayed. We spoke about her mothers prognosis. A deadly lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, just diagnosed. Devastation would describe the pain I saw in her eyes.
Meeting Margaret was an absolute delight, I could see her concern more for her daughter and the others family members present than with her own well being. What good would it do to worry about something you can't see, but feel. Death comes for all of us eventually, some more tragically than others, for some it's as easy as just falling asleep.
Walking someone home is a privilege. Not easy, for those who don't understand the freedom we experience with God's saving grace it seems pointless to encourage those who are given only a short period to remain here in our present form. I often find critics where there should be those giving hope, not unrealistic to expect God to spare some for the greater glory yet to come. It's not cruel to give someone a smile and nod, to acknowledge the fact they realize their days are numbered, but imagine if you will if they lived their lives never knowing when, just knowing it will happen. Knowing this they live their life for Christ....
What great sacrifice than to give our life so others may live. Ours is here in this form is pitifully short, not to be squandered, God has a purpose for us being here after all, we are the living testament to the power of his love that no matter how bad the diagnosis, there is always hope. What greater opportunity for Margaret and her family than to show others that are around them that God has a purpose for us right up and through the very end.
God does not hate us when our life ends here on this planet, we will be back when we rise again in the new heaven as on earth as in heaven. No more wars, no more fears, no more hate, no more sickness, no more death. Surely peace and goodness shall follow us all the remaining days.
I saw the power of God's love in Margaret's face this afternoon as we parted for the last time, she was up and walking, determining how she would finish her chores here, not to be defined by a lung illness that will claim her, be strong and live boldly Margaret, I pray those that read this will take heed and carry just a small part of your courage with them in their challenges in the days ahead.
See you when I get home as well. I pray your journey will be peaceful, may the great Sheppard make your paths straight. I will continue to pray for you an your family. Peace be with you sister.
