Afraid of Dying

I have never been afraid of dying but I believe a lot of people are.  I am around many of them on a daily basis at work as an activity director at an old folks home.  In fact, one woman in particular is terrified of dying.  I am not sure why but I’d like to ask her sometime.  I think some people wonder if it hurts to die.  With my work, I have been privileged to sit at the death bed of several of my best buddies as they transition home.   One particular friend was conscious enough before she went on morphine that she was able to describe it to me.  I asked her, “Does it hurt to die?”  She stated, “Yes, but I keep lifting up to the most beautiful sight.  Then I drop back down again because it isn’t time yet.”  She was dying from complications from diabetes.She had open wounds between her toes so I can see how that hurt. I can tell you from experience that drowning is a very peaceful way to go.  I drowned when I was 10 years old.  I remember it vividly still to this day.  I remember being scared at first when I knew I couldn’t hold my breath anymore but once I took that first breath of water it was the most peaceful feeling I can ever remember.  I still think about that often.  I saw bright light and I remember looking around in the water and seeing how beautiful blue it was and feeling such a glorious feeling of weightlessness and peace in my little 10 year old body as I breathed the water in and out of my lungs.  Then as everything was moving toward the light, I remember being thrown up onto the side of the pool and people pushing on me hard and then me coughing up lots and lots of water.  I don’t know how long I was under there but I remember needing a nap when that was over.  The funny thing is that even with that experience, I have never been afraid of water.  Maybe I am not afraid because I know how peaceful and painless it is to drown. 

God knows us so well because He made us and He knows that it is common to fear dying.  So I think it is pretty amazing to look at how God prepares us for natural death from old age.  Where I work, every day I see people in varying degrees of poor health.  I see their decline and ultimate end although they sometimes move on to a higher level of care before that end comes.  I look at how people get diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues, blood clotting, strokes, inability to take in nourishment, etc.  Most of the people I deal with, by the time they are near death they are ready.  They are tired of hurting.  They are tired of struggling and have little quality of life left.  God is pretty cool like that to prepare us for natural death.  We become ready.  We become tired and want to sleep.  Even in the end, God has our back.

Sometimes it is good to consider our own mortality.  We are on vacation here on this earth.  One day we will all go home, but on every other day, we will enjoy our vacation and spread joy like confetti to all we come in contact with.  Get out there today and sprinkle kindness and love into our world.  Thank you for reading my blog.  Please give me a like and a follow and a share!

Jennifer

Praying for Lost Things

Phillip, my husband, and I were having dinner at Kabuto when his phone rang.  It was our son, Ben.  He and his girlfriend had gone to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana for the day.  Ben said to Phillip, “Dad, I am screwed.”  He proceeded to tell Phillip that he had lost the key to the rental car that we had while Ben’s car was being repaired.  I have never been a panicked when things go missing.  After they got off the phone I texted Ben and said, “Give me a minute and I am going to pray, then I will let you know when I am done.”  He proceeded to tell me that he had already prayed (makes a momma proud).  I told him that I had not.  So I prayed at the table for the key to be placed in a spot where it could easily be found.  Then I called Ben and told him to just relax and go about the rest of his day and just keep his eyes out for the key, that it would just show up.  He said “I hope so”.  Hoping so is not truly believing.  We are told in the Bible that we can seek and we will find, ask and it shall be given unto you, knock and the door will be opened.  If we believe in the God who spoke the world into existence then surely we believe He can follow through with His promises. 

Phillip got on the phone with the rental car company to figure out what we needed to do about getting another key.  No more than 5 minutes passed and I received a call back from Ben.  He was in tears.  He simply stated, “Mom I found it.”  What a faith building experience for him.  He proceeded to tell me that he and his girlfriend rode the swings to cool down and relax, then would look for the key.  They passed a ride that had been closed down but had staff at the entrance to direct folks that the ride was not operating.  Ben asked the staff if they had found a key.  They said they hadn’t but to check at the exit.  At the exit, Ben asked the same question and the staff said, “Dude, was it to a rental car?”  Ben confirmed and the man handed the key to him.  The ride was closed.  God did what I asked.  Ask and it shall be given unto you.  Our job is to believe.  Lord, I believe but forgive my unbelief. 

Recently I lost my prescription sunglasses.  I looked everywhere for them.  Even turned the car upside down looking for them.  I moved the seats up and back looking for the glasses.  Days turned into a couple of weeks of looking.  I looked at work, in the boat, everywhere.  My family and I were going to eat out and I accidentally left the key in the car.  The car thankfully has a safety on it that won’t lock the doors without the key being out of the car.  I went back to the car, leaned over to get the key and there were my glasses.  Thank you, God.  I had prayed that they be placed where I could easily find them.  I had moved that seat back and forth several times over the weeks looking for the sunglasses and they were not there.  Now they were.  God is good.  Ask and you shall receive if you believe.

Thanks for reading my blog.  Please give me a follow and a share.  It helps me a lot when you share my posts.  

Jennifer