Of Life, Not Death

“Our dead brothers still live for us, and bid us think of life, not death." ~ Oliver Wendell Holms

For Madeline, Memorial Day was no longer happy.  It wasn’t the long weekend she’d always looked forward to.  On the first holiday without her soldier, (who was stationed somewhere in Afghanistan), Madeline was in a foul mood.  She resented everyone who could enjoy this day without the anxiety of war.

She needed to shake it off; to lose herself in a long walk.

A half mile later, Madeline paused at the gate of the local cemetery.  Somehow it seemed to beckon her.  She hurried through the gate.

She walked among the plots, glancing at the graves, some with simple markers, some more elaborate.  What had drawn her here?

Then she noticed a woman leaning over a grave, straightening flowers that had blown over, fitting a container back into place.  A small American flag cast a shadow on the soldier's memorial.

Madeline brushed a tear from her cheek and stood back, staring at the white marble tombstone. "Hello," she said, moving toward her.

The woman didn't say a word, but reached for Madeline with both arms as though she needed someone right then to understand the moment.  Her husband of more than 30 years had died in combat three years earlier.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she uttered somberly.  And then, “Doesn’t it make you angry that after more than a decade of war in two countries that claimed the lives of nearly 7,000 Americans, people seem more interested with having a barbecue or going shopping than pausing to appreciate the cost of our freedom to do so?”

The woman paused.

“Oh no dear,” she began, gaining composure with each word.  If Joe were alive today, he’d probably want to spend the weekend doing what he loved, too.  That might have involved a trip to the beach.  It almost certainly would have involved drinking beer.  My husband and his Army buddies, many of whom have rotated in and out of war zones for decades, would’ve been excited about the three-day weekend just like everyone else.”

“That’s why they fight,” she continued.  “They serve so that we can watch the race, grill out and enjoy the start of summer.  Their sacrifice follows the example of Jesus Christ laying down His life for our freedom.  It's selfless love for others – not so that we should mourn forever, but live.”

Madeline turned and took in the panorama of the cemetery, filled with the flowers brought in for that special day.  Almost every grave was decorated.

God's spirit touched her with a quiet, new understanding.  Military service is about protecting family, friends and countrymen.  Any nation where soldiers serve with Duty, Honor, and for Country is blessed.

Lord, on this day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day, we think of how they followed in the footsteps of Your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Bless them, their families and friends.  Amen

Starry, Starry Night

“I have plans for you; not to hurt you, but to give you hope and prosperity." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

The night air was just right, perfect for stargazing, as the city slept beneath her.  Jacquie leaned far out on the balcony ledge and stared wistfully at the constellations.  As an amateur astrophysicist, observing the night sky was her form of stress relief.  Tonight she needed an extra dose.

Jacquie contracted Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion seven years ago.  After 49 weeks of treatments, tests showed she’d beaten the disease.  But just two weeks ago she admitted herself to the hospital with what was thought to be Appendicitis.  An MRI revealed Cirrhosis of the liver.  Today she ‘scored’ 32 (acute) on the liver transplant waiting scale.

Jacquie smiled sadly, watching the clouds part and the stars flickering in an enchanting rhythm.  The solar system, she knew, was filled with amazing planets, but none were more perfect for life than the Earth God created.

If the crust of the earth had been only ten feet thicker, there would have been no oxygen; human and animal life would have perished.  Had our oceans been a few feet deeper, carbon dioxide and oxygen would have been absorbed and no vegetable life could have existed.

Our earth is the ideal distance from the sun – farther away and we’d freeze, closer and we’d roast.  Clouds help balance the earth’s temperature.  They block the sun when the earth’s temperature becomes too hot, and they let the sunlight in when it’s too cold.

If our atmosphere had been thinner, some of the meteors, now burned in space by the millions every day would strike all parts of the earth causing catastrophic damage.

Earth’s atmosphere is 21% oxygen.  If it were 25%, fires would erupt spontaneously.  If it were 15%, humans would suffocate.  The utter lifelessness of other planets in our solar system illustrates the fact that earth is unique and specially created for life.

In this wide universe there can be no finer planet for any species than our own natural home, thought Jacquie.  So many exacting conditions are necessary for life on the earth that it’s impossible to believe that they could exist by chance.

And then it hit her – like an unbridled meteor.  “If God created a perfect universe, then He must have a perfect plan for me too!  He’ll reveal His plan for me at the perfect time.”

Suddenly, her illness took on a whole new trajectory.

“He won’t reveal the “big picture” to me all at once because I’d either become fearful, or have an attitude that says, “Okay, Lord - I can take it from here!”   God knows that I need His constant help, so He wisely encourages dependence on Him.”

Perfection made possible only by God!

Dear child, whenever you don’t understand what’s happening in your life, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and say “God I know it’s Your plan, just help me through it.  My plan is better than your dreams.  Love JC

Works Hard For the Money

“God won’t forget the love you’ve shown His people." ~ Hebrews 6:10

She was generous, even when they thought she wasn’t.  She always put others above hers.  Children felt comforted by her voice, parents leaned on her for advice, spouses cried openly in her presence.  They trusted my Mom, a complete stranger who didn’t just open her heart, but gave it unfailingly to anyone who needed it.

I never understood her.  I didn’t get why she put up with the abuse: patients demanding pain meds, doctors treating them like minions rather than peers, the system crippling her with oceans of paperwork.  Overworked and underpaid.

Yet Nurse Millie was a person of uncommon talents.  Like a bird in flight, she made something so impossible for others appear easy and natural.  On the ward she calmed patients deemed "difficult" by other nurses.  Her cheerful smile had the warmth of freshly baked cookies; her voice deep yet honeyed.

Millie never hurt them, never became belittled their aches, never dampened their hopes.  She spoke to them like they were real people, people who mattered, not just withered old bones too stubborn to die.  With just her presence their appetites improved, prescriptions worked faster, and they slept more peacefully.

It was only after she’d been diagnosed with end-stage cancer that her life outside of our family started making sense to me.  Her colleagues (also her best friends) seemed rattled to see one of their own on the opposite side; they saw a bit of themselves in my mother.

They asked me questions and I replied.  “Yes, she ate on the run, slept weird hours and after tending to endless family matters, she sank fully clothed into bed.”

When I recanted our family story, they nodded self-consciously as though it was more than just acknowledging what I’d said.  It also described their lives in detail.

Even then, my mother felt an obligation to her nurse friends, training me on simple things that could help reduce their workload.  It didn’t seem like much, but they seemed grateful for every little bit.  They communicated with Mom in what seemed to me a secret language, and acted just like her.  Each day they gave 100 percent of themselves and asked for zilch in return.

We spent every waking moment together during those final days before her death.  I saw families gathered in the lounge suffering in silence, pastors who provided the only companionship to many terminal patients, doctors who appeared briefly during rounds, case workers who seemed emotionally drained . . . and NURSES who filled EVERY void in between.

My heart goes out to all those who have chosen this profession of improving the lives of others – there must be a special wing in heaven reserved for these angels.

Thank you Lord, for all nurses – those unique souls who regularly put us and ours above theirs.   A beacon of compassion is their lone reward, and one that they embrace enthusiastically because they see the world both at its worst and its best.  Amen

Foster Mom

“The time to be happy is now.  The way to be happy is to make others so." ~ RG Ingersoll

Hands deep in his pockets, Geoff wandered aimlessly, ill equipped for the storm that was brewing.  Soon the rain came in drenching fashion.  He was about to head for home when wind-whipped willows revealed the smallest glimpse of a weathered old house.  Geoff ran to it for cover.

A brief pause from the driving rain, Geoff quickly surmised that the oldest residents of this old place were the spiders.  Even their once intricate cobwebs now lay in dusty rags.  As his senses adjusted to the artifacts of a life abandoned, an almost-inaudible whimper drew him towards a closet door.  He opened it.

Inside a cowering dog lay against the back wall.  Dirty and malnourished, it had clearly been abused.  Geoff noticed she was still breathing and rushed her to a local animal shelter where she gained excellent medical care . . . and a reputation.  

They named her Jasper and went about the task of finding her an adoptive home.  But this dog had other ideas. 

Nobody remembers now how it began, but Jasper started welcoming all new arrivals at the shelter.  It wouldn't matter if it was a kitten, a rabbit or, probably even a bobcat, Jasper would peer into their cage and, where possible, deliver a friendly lick. 

New animals often arrive disoriented: new sights, sounds, smells.  Not to mention new people!  Jasper, that timid, abused, deserted waif, became the shelter's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might’ve been born for. 

She had a knack for reducing much of the stress newbies felt and helping them settle into their new surroundings.  The list of rescued pets she cared for grew by fox and badger cubs, chicks, guinea pigs, and a wounded fawn later named Faith.

Just 11 weeks old, Faith was found semi-conscious in a field.  Upon arrival at the shelter, Jasper went into full foster mom role, cuddling Faith to keep her warm, and showering the young deer with affection and making sure nothing was matted in her fur.  They became inseparable. 

Jasper cared for her until Faith was old enough to return to the forest.  When that happened, Jasper never got depressed – she was too busy sharing love and affection to the other orphans or victims of abuse.

How many times have you actually been able to save a life?  I mean literally pulling a child or animal from certain death, and bringing them back to life.  Fostering something wounded is an incredible experience.   Alas, many of us will let the inevitable pain of letting them go at the end of the experience . . . blind us from the joy of the journey.

Sweet Jesus, bless those who open their hearts and homes in the most selfless and giving of ways to those that deserve it most.  Move believers worldwide to be consumed with compassion for those in foster care, and make themselves available for how You want to use them.  Amen

A Touch of Class

“Help carry one another’s burdens." ~ Galatians 6:2

Crying had always been a healthy release, but for Kara it became a habit lately.  Sadness washed in like an unwanted wave, knocking her sandcastles flat.  She stared aimlessly out of the window.

Four months away, she thought.  The moment of truth, the stepping stone to the real world.  She’d been preparing for 13 memorable years.  For a mystical moment she’s there – at the ceremony in front of administrators, teachers, and proud parents.  In her mind’s eye, Kara scanned a crowd absent her Dad.  More tears.  She let them fall, not raising a hand to stop them.

Her Dad Michael beat prostate cancer five years ago.  He’d walked his oldest daughter down the aisle and seen the birth of a grandchild.  But his goal of seeing Kara graduate would not happen.

Now, he’s battling cancer of the bile duct.   Doctors have given him six weeks max.  Barely able to stand, he’s even too weak to attend the Sports Award banquet tonight when she’d receive her All-Conference Volleyball Award.

Memories blast through her mind; funny anecdotes about stupid things that they’d done together; the good, the bad and sometimes the crazy.  God she would miss his pep talks!  The day passed in a blur of smiles and tears.

Readying herself for the banquet, Kara hugged her Mom who was muttering about her baby growing up too fast.  She smiled at her bedridden Dad as he tried not to show any emotion, acting as if were just another day.

As they entered the auditorium, everyone was jabbering excitedly as they found their seats.  Soon the lights dimmed and Principal Chu stepped to the podium.

“Tonight is special,” she began.  “Special because one of our students will share a life milestone with her Dad who’ll unfortunately miss so many others.  Kara, will you come forward please?”

As Kara approached the stage, the drum line pounded out an energetic march followed by the school orchestra’s rendition of the Pomp and Circumstance Graduation March.  Her volleyball coach met her at the steps and cloaked her in a graduation cap and gown and presented her a bouquet of white roses.

Thunderstruck, she searched the crowd.

Mom wheeled Michael down the aisle to deafening applause.  From his front row seat Michael mouthed “I love you Peaches.”

Kara stepped forward, shaking Mrs. Chu’s hand and received the piece of parchment that would forever remind her of the kindness of so many who’d made this special event happen.  It even made the thought of going through life without her Dad a little more bearable since he’d at least seen her graduate.

"Perhaps," she wondered, "this is pure ecstasy.  This is what comes when a battle is over and you reach God’s eternal salvation."

Lord, open our eyes that we may see You in others.  Open our ears that we may hear the cries of the sick, hungry, frightened and oppressed.  Renew us in Your spirit.  Free us and make us one.  Amen