Life and Death

By Pam Durham
      C.A.R.E. Director

The first definition of life according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary is: 

a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body.
b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings.
c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction.

The definition of death is:

a : a permanent cessation of all vital functions : the end of life.

b : an instance of dying.

This past week was an eventful one of both life and death for me.  My daughter was due with her third child on June 14^th, but due to some complications she was induced on May 22^nd.  I am now the proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren - five granddaughters and one grandson.  What a joy they all are.  They range in age from 12 to brand new!  The life they represent is far more than that listed in the definitions above.  They are the result of the life of Christ who brings us true life.  I am the proud mother (and mother-in-law) of their parents.  Because of choices I made over 40 years ago, I have children who are bringing up their children in the admonition of the Lord.  It is such a delight to see all they are learning about Jesus and who He is; to watch their character be shaped by their loving parents. What a blessing! 

But, in comes death.  I received a call from my Dad the day after my new granddaughter’s birth to tell me that my uncle had passed away.  Three days earlier he had had a massive heart attack.  Although they had him on life support, there was no sign of life.  They removed the life support May 23^rd.  In the midst of my rejoicing, I now am also grieving.  Being only eight years my senior, my uncle was more like a brother to me since I had spent most of my early childhood living with my grandparents and Mom.  He would have done anything for me, and he named his only child after me.  He smoked heavily and also drank consistently, but when we went to a restaurant, he would go to the non-smoking sections…just for me. 

But sadly, to my knowledge, he is also spiritually dead.  There was a point in his life also 40 years ago where he said he wanted nothing to do with God.  As far as I know, that never changed.  I have the blessed hope of seeing all my children and grandchildren in Heaven some day.  I also will see my Mom and my in-laws there as well.

I am reminded that there is so much more to life than just living here on earth.  Or as some say, just surviving.  Today, more than most, I know how truly blessed I am to have chosen eternal life for myself those many years ago.  My husband and I have chosen to leave an eternal legacy for our children.

What are you choosing?  Life – abundant life…or death – eternal separation from God?