Reflections

During my life I have had a lot of exposure to dead people and their relatives. My father is a pastor and I have attended more funerals than most people my age. However, very few of these funerals have been for people I dearly loved.

Last night I had the honor of sharing a couple of hours with a freshly grieving widow. She was surrounded by caring family and friends. We all sat there comforting each other with our presence. From time to time a comment would be made or a story told that would make us laugh and/or cry. Silence was not a burden. The peace that passeth understanding was present.

It is times like these that you really see and understand some of the great benefits of being a child of God. To see this young widow rejoicing over the six months of memories she has to cherish; to know the loved one is not really dead, but is now at home in heaven; to be able to thank God for what you had and not curse Him for what He didn't give you; all this and more proves that God's love is greater than we can imagine.

Other cultures have long and elaborate rituals that must be performed when a loved one dies. Some of these are to protect those still living; many more to help the dead one in the next life. How sad to realize that there is nothing anyone can do to help a loved one once they are dead. We need to prepare them for the next life while they are still in this one. Once you are dead, it is too late for you or anyone else to change your situation in eternity.

Are you ready to die?