Written by One way I often hear people relate to getting older is by learning, hearing of, and discussing news of friends, family, and loved ones becoming ill, or even passing away. In that regard, I am getting older too. But these things, these happenings, these pockets of news we wish not to hear, or hope somehow will never happen to us, have been happening all along; regardless of our age.
I am in my mid-40’s now and hope that’s only half way, at most, through my life here on earth. There’s still so much to see, so much to learn, so much to do, I have yet to scratch the surface. So, it is for a long life here on the most beautiful place under the heavens that I hope to grow, learn, enjoy, and share.
As for the news that comes our way, of the hurting, the suffering, the dying, and those who have spiritually left this place, I think of it in my own way. I pray for the suffering to end, for the dying to heal, and for those who have passed, to have found their Lord and Saviour and started their walk with Him. For all others, I pray that their life is long and fruitful here on earth, and their walk here is close to the Lord, as I pray for my own.
If that time has come, whether we can explain it or not, and a person’s life here on earth ends, then I truly hope that their life was long and fruitful. Similar definitions of the terms long and fruitful we would all probably formulate and agree on. However, these things are not up to us, and when it’s time, it’s time.
All of us have experienced, or will one day experience, the news of someone we hold dear who has passed away. Until then, and especially at that time, I will long for the time described here; And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away – Revelation 21:4.