Chaps' Tent: Even when it's inevitable, death not easy to deal with
Life is not always uplifting, positive, nor happy. Lately, I seem to have to rely on the old gospel tune, “Where Could I Go but to the Lord.”
Yesterday I was notified of three more deaths, all sudden and without warning. Two were extended family members, one was an old friend who I had recently reunited with on a couple of occasions.
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Just last Sunday I was able to spend some quality time with him and was thinking I need to get out to his house and spend even more time. There is just no way to prepare oneself for such times as these. Fortunately when hearing the news, I did have someone close by to talk with about it.
My father died an untimely death in an accident at age 35 when I was only 15. I don’t recall a lot of conversation with him, but I do remember times alone with him. I made it a point when my own children were growing up to spend time alone with each one individually, and I still do when given a chance.
As a chaplain, my role is spiritual, to aid folks in getting through the experience of the death of others, as well as in preparation for their own death, when called upon.
In short: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8). May our prayer be, “Teach me, O Lord, about the end of my life. Teach me about the number of days I have left, so that I may know how temporary my life is.” (Psalm 39:4)
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Even when it's inevitable, death not easy to deal with
