It’s hard to believe it’s been four years ago today when Chris passed away. Life has continued on and been filled with excitement with the marriage of our older son four months later and the birth of our first grandchild almost nine months ago. I’ve published two books and have been working on a big project the last two years (I’ll share more about that sometime).
On the downside, a close relative has had a return of metastatic cancer after almost 20 years of remission. A total shock. Then two nights ago I received a call from my cousin. Her husband had a massive stroke and is currently nonresponsive. Then there’s the COVID-19 pandemic the whole world is facing. We never know what may be in our future, do we?
Are you ready for the unexpected? If you were faced with a devastating medical crisis today, are you prepared? Do you have a living will? A medical power of attorney? Does your family know what your final wishes are? These are difficult topics to think about now, but they become even more difficult in a crisis situation when stress becomes part of the equation.
I still say the most loving thing Chris ever did for me was to help make sure I was ready for the inevitable. He helped me plan his funeral. He put in writing what he wanted and didn’t want when it came to end-of-life treatment so I didn’t have to guess. I knew I was honoring his last wishes. He made sure I knew how to do things around the house that I was capable of handling myself or who to call if I needed help around the house or with making financial decisions.
But of greater importance, Chris was spiritually ready. He was ready for the Lord to take him home. He couldn’t wait to meet Him face to face.
Are you ready? We will all die someday. If that day were today, do you know where you would spend eternity?
If you’ve never invited Jesus into your life but want to do so, simply pray something like this:
“Dear Lord, I admit I’ve sinned in my life and ask you to forgive me. I believe You’re the Son of God and that You died on the cross to take the punishment for my sin. I believe You were buried and rose again from the grave. Thank You for Your gift of eternal life. I accept that gift and invite you into my life as my personal Savior. I choose to follow You into eternity. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16