Thursday, May 13, 2010

Dealing with Death


*sorry I've been out of commission past couple weeks dealing with my fiance's father's illness and death.


Dealing with Death

People grieve in many ways, just as people die in many ways. Some people show hardly no emotions when a loved one passes, while others can't seem to stop the tears. Some get angry and blame God, others fully embrace God and His plan in it all. In my years of ministry I've got to visit with many on their death bed and after the death with the family and assist in funeral services. During my time in the funeral business I got to see people soon after they passed and be one of the first people to deal with the family at the worst moment in their lives as they just lost someone they loved.

Death is not easy, but death is real. Death is not a respecter of age, race, gender, religion, size, or character. Good and bad people die, young and old, rich and poor, fat and skinny, and those by accident, disease, or even the hands of someone else. Sometimes death is sudden and sometimes it is almost cruely slow as we wait and watch a loved one slowly slip away.

In recent months I've slowly watched my fiance's father slowly lose his battle with cancer. I was there with her mother as he passed from this life to the next. It was actually the first time I ever saw someone take their last breath. I was able to pray for Him with her as he died. He was ready to go.

What can I say about death? You can't hide from it, we all will die someday unless Christ returns before then. So we can't avoid it, so don't. Secondly, we don't have to be afraid of it, we have to prepare for it. Thirdly, deal with grief in your own way and your own time, but like anything, don't dwell too long or their will be temptation for bittnerness, resentment, blame, depression, or other side affects, but a period of grief is normal and their is no one way to grieve. Fourthly, learn to appreciate life. Love the people in your life because you never know when you won't have them or when they won't have you. Appreciate your family and friends and those you love and take time to enjoy life and love. Life is too short to work yourself to death, worry too much, stay too busy with activities, or waste.

"So then, Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." 2 Corinthians 4:12