<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recently visited a dear friend in the hospital. Clues indicated that transition to heaven was imminent, yet life\u2019s story was still being written, and timing was in God\u2019s hands. That experience prompted me to write the following. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Death is a subject no one wants to discuss, yet death is the final stage of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wills, advance directives, and DNR\u2019s are decisions we put off for another day because thinking about end of life is hard. Confronting our mortality is sobering, and perhaps a little frightening. Yet death is part of life, and preparing for death should be no different from preparing for other life events. Preparation is important, because, for some, death comes without warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am thankful Jim and I signed updated wills a mere two weeks before his death. I\u2019m glad we did the hard work of making funeral arrangements while we were still healthy. Was preparing for death easy? Absolutely not, but in the days of shock and grief following Jim\u2019s sudden death, I didn\u2019t have to wonder about his wishes for burial and a celebration of life. I didn\u2019t face giant legal and financial hurtles because we planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making difficult decisions ahead of death is a gift you give your loved ones. Planning removes the burden of figuring out what to do, because questions have already been answered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Death doesn\u2019t wait until we are ready. The schedule of death for each of us is different and beyond our control. Death sneaks in unannounced, like a thief. Pretending death is far in the future is foolish. Although that may be the case for you, the only guarantee is death will come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our bodies are intricate, wonderfully created, and amazing, but they aren\u2019t designed to last indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The apostle Paul, a tentmaker by trade, used the analogy of our earthly bodies as tents. When tents are damaged, they can be repaired, to a point, but with age and wear, the strength of fabric lessens. Fibers ravel and fray. Resilience falters. Tearing happens. Eventually, the tent is beyond repair. Likewise, with age, our bodies lose agility and stamina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For centuries, people have attempted to slow or halt the aging process. Some even searched for the proverbial \u201cfountain of youth,\u201d but inevitably, the body\u2019s march toward death maintains forward motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For people of faith, death is not something to be feared. Death is a transition from this life to eternity, a place where we inhabit new homes and bodies not subject to aging and decay. Eternity in heaven is something to look forward to for those who trust in the saving grace of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many years ago, I sat in an ICU waiting room at a hospital, where Jim\u2019s father was a patient. Another family was there, their son seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. When the doctor entered the waiting room and told them their son was brain dead, they exploded into wails and weeping, and then, were faced with the decision to withdraw life support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I attempted to comfort them, but it was obvious they had no hope for their loved one beyond the grave. Their grief was like none I\u2019ve ever witnessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without hope, death is a big, scary, final exit. With hope, death is a portal to an eternity filled with light, love, and worship. How do you view death?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands\u201d (2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a9CandyArrington<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please read these foundational posts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Life Dream Story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Best-Life Definition<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Candy Arrington<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On Prayer and Suffering<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNew to The Best-Life Project?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Read More from This Author:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Read More on this topic: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Candy](\"http:\/\/livingyourbestlife60plus.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Candy-Arrington_1394-240x300-1.jpg\")