This week, our family has walked a loved one to the end of their road on this earth. Chris and I stood side by side and comforted his brother, while we watched his last breaths be taken. Now, today, Chris and I and one other will go make the plans for the families last goodbye…the funeral.
We got a call on Thursday, asking Chris to come to the hospital and pray with his brother. His health has been poor for a really long time, so we weren’t sure just how bad it was this time. Chris left.
On his way, he called and it was clear I needed to join him, so I headed out to drive the 2 hours and meet him.
Halfway through my drive, we learned this was it. Kevin asked to see our children and say goodbye.
So, the kids began their own drive.
In the end it was so sovereign that we each received our own time to process during the drive. It was an unexpected gift. A blessing.
When I arrived, I stood near Kevin’s feet and he looked at me and said, “Well Lisa, it looks like this is the end of the road.”
Immediately, everyone in the room was sobbing. Tears poured from my eyes like they never have before. I’ve never been with someone who knew they were about to die. I’ve never watched someone have to say, “Ok, I’m ready to stop treatment and go to eternal sleep.” I’ve never sat and watched their body taking ever increasing pauses between breaths…until the last one came and went. I’ve never felt the spirit of a person leave the room, while we watched their body become empty.
Holy.
There is only one way to describe it.
Holy.
We will all reach the end of our own road. What a gift it was to know he was in his last day, so he could say all he wanted to say…
Three things were important to him at the end…and I never want to forget it because it boils life down to what truly matters.
I love you…he said to every person.
Please forgive me if I’ve ever wronged you, and I forgive everyone who has wronged me.
Make yourself right with God, because I want to see you there.
Love, forgiveness, and salvation…
That’s it.
Today, I encourage you to visit these three things. Do those you love know you love them? We just can’t say it enough. Never hold back the words or the actions of love. Have you forgiven? The Bible says we are forgiven to the measure that we forgive. Nothing is too great to forgive. Are you right with Jesus? It is always good to check in with God and become right again.
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
365 Days in the Presence 