Dying Well

We will all die one day. That is one of the few things we can be sure of. But will we die well? That is less certain. Dying well means dying for others, making our lives fruitful for those we leave behind. The big question, therefore, is not "What can I still do in the years I have left to live?" but "How can I prepare myself for my death so that my life can continue to bear fruit in the generations that will follow me?"

Jesus died well because through dying he sent his Spirit of Love to his friends, who with that Holy Spirit could live better lives. Can we also send the Spirit of Love to our friends when we leave them? Or are we too worried about what we can still do? Dying can become our greatest gift if we prepare ourselves to die well.

– Henri Nouwen.

 

And I Asked of the Lord

By Kathy Hughes

I asked of the Lord,
protect me from all pain.
And He answered
I am the Balm of Gilead.
I am sufficient for all your wounds.
As the broken bone, knitted together,
becomes yet stronger,
So too will your broken life,
your broken heart heal to greater strength.

And I asked of the Lord,
how will I know true love?
And He answered
Listen to the deepest longings of your heart.
When another heart answers,
it is the one I intend for you.
Open your heart to
feelings that are true
and it is there you will find
true life.

And I asked of the Lord,
send me faith.
And He answered
Faith must grow.
I have already planted that
mustard seed deep within your heart.
Nourish it, and faith
will grow like the sycamore.

And I asked of the Lord,
grant me patience.
And He replied,
Patience is learned.
I will send you circumstances
in need of great patience
so that you may practice
until you are satisfied.

And I asked of the Lord
guard me from all disease.
And He answered
Disease is but a passing discomfort.
Instead, guard your heart
against envy, fear, jealousy, wrath,
grudges, self-pity and greed.
These are what will
rob you of life.

And I asked of the Lord,
save me from growing old,
and slow and dependent upon others.
And He answered
It is in weakness that you will find
your greatest strength.
And the last will become first
And the least will become the greater.

And I asked of the Lord,
give me strength for the task ahead.
And He answered
I AM the truth
and the light
and the way.
Follow me when your
burden is heavy and
I will allow you rest.

And I said to the Lord
rescue me from grief
And He answered
Ask instead for a smile
through the tears,
for a sunburst
through the funeral gloom,
for a laugh
in the telling of a life.
Without rain there is no rainbow,
Without tears there is no joy.
Grief will pass, but a memory
lives forever within the heart.

And I asked of the Lord
Why? How do you know?
And He answered
BECAUSE I AM.

Kathy Hughes wrote this meditative poem for her friend Debi Sanders on the occasion of the death of Debi’s grandmother and mother in the same week.