67 years, 8 months and 29 days. This is what my Aunt Marie told the pastor when he asked “how long have you and Loran been married”? Not that she was counting or anything. When I stooped down to hug her neck she told me about the morning my uncle died. She said “I went over to hug him goodnight and he held my hand. He said in a small weak voice “I’m dying. I love you, I have always loved you”. I told him that I have loved him since the first time I laid eyes on him. I layed down and slept for a few hours then I got up and washed my face. About 30 minutes later I heard a little gurgling sound and he was gone”.
My uncle had been pretty much bed ridden for the past several years and my Aunt catered to his every need. When she said “in sickness and in health till death do us part” she meant it. Like every married couple they had their share of hard times but they pulled through it. They pulled through it because they relied on God and their shared faith in Christ.
Death is as much a part of life as living is and it’s going to happen to each and every one of us. My uncle knew his time was near and he was not afraid. He was going home where he would wait for his bride to join him. His death did not catch us off guard because of his lengthy illness but sometimes death comes quickly and unexpected. What do you do when death knocks you to your knees and you can’t seem to pull yourself up? When it seems like nothing makes sense anymore and the world around you is crumbling in? What do you do then?
Turn to God! When you are broken hearted and it seems like there is no relief in sight turn to God. He is our comforter, our strength and our hope. He understands our pain and He will see us through ours. Our lives are full of what seems like impossible situations…..but this too shall pass. As believers in the risen Christ our hope lies in the promise that death in this life is not the end but the beginning.
Scripture
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