Day 27 - ‘in-a-minute’
Greetings
It's a bit taboo to talk about death and dying but here goes..... I have been a chaplain in Hospices and it was always advised to speak about the inevitable before it is too late. It is good to make plans and say tender words to each other when we are able.
But what awaits us after death? CS Lewis coined the phrase that we are living in the 'Shadowlands.' He said what God has in store for those who trust in him is more real than the reality of here and now (this is a shadow of what is to come). About those who have died in faith, Revelation 7:17 says 'the lamb (Jesus) will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.' Rev 21:4 says God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more nor mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”
I hope this is some comfort if you are facing a life-limiting illness or struggling with loss.
God Bless
Kelvin <><
Lord, let me be yours. Let me not draw back, neither from heaven, nor from your divinity, nor your cross. Let me be yours to whom I owe both my creation and my redemption. Touch my heart and sanctify it, and consecrate me in your service for ever.
Lucy Herbert 1669-1744
Today Let us pray for:
Those receiving End of Life Care
The bereaved and all who counsel them
People living with Life limiting Illness
Pray for our Specialist Palliative care teams
Macmillan Nurses & Hospice CaLimitingfor End of Life MDTs in our Hospitals and Hospices
A precious thing in the Lord’s sight is the death of those who are loyal to him. Psalm 116 v15
Give thanks for the communion of saints
A Prayer
I will do it only once, though my whole life moves towards it. So I pray for a good death when the time is right, when I have finished my business, when I have come to terms with my mortality. Before then, in the small and large losses of life, in the giving away of fond possessions, in the parting from close friends, in the changes of job, house or church, may I sense a meaning in loss and have a foretaste of resurrection. Anon
