Church

Monday morning at 8:30 our time, John Graham, at 94 years of age, passed away.  He is in a better place — but the rest of us left behind do miss him. 

As my father said, John was a unique individual.  He was even tempered and fair.  This past while he had learned I was to have double knee replacement surgery.  He went out and bought me some shark cartilage to see if that would help the pain and soreness.  The bottle sits on our table and as I take the capsules, I’m reminded of John — a Christian man who now sees Jesus in a whole new light!!

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that life and death continue on.  They are inevitable.  Only one will be erased.

For most of those around you, the answer would be – life!  We are a nation of pracitising existentialists.  That merely means that we believe that existence is what counts.  Physical, present, tangible existence.  When this existence is done – when life is erased, we are erased.  I find that one hard to live with!  Where is hope?  Where is justice, joy, peace, love . . . and a myriad of other human emotions and life giving feelings?

So, I like the other alternative.  Death will be erased!  My life is worth something here and past here.  Those around me are worth something here and past here.  As people die, they actually step from one phase of life to the next.  The continuationof life brings rewards of justice, joy in the moment and eternity, peace in settledness that life is more than here and now.  And the sense of love overwhelming us.

That is, if you have a basis of life that is rooted first of all in Jesus.

Time spent with those closing in on the next phase of life causes reflection.

Here is a comparison I have been thinking about:

Whether in hospital, hospice or home — we can be in a "death watch" or "health care" mode.  And, you can switch modes in a short period of time.  Death care deals with pain management, health care with revitalizing nutrition.  Death care has in mind "death preparation", health care "death reflection."

Six years ago, we were on a death watch with Jill.  Well, perhaps it was more on the borderline.  Jill had surgery planned so there was hope.  But as the surgeon’s notes read — she was in such deteriorated shape she probably should not have survived the surgery. 

Prior to the surgery, we were in the mode of death preparation.  Amazing how priorities are clarified.  "I’m not doing that" became an understandable and not infrequent statement.  We sold a house to get one that was more appropriate.  We reexamined our wills.  We spent time together.

We are now in health care mode.  We will often reflect on death, but the grip is not quite as strong.

Sometimes I wonder if there is a greater reality in death watch!  Certainly there is a sense of the important.  For a Christian there is no fear (OK, pain does bring pause!) and a heightened sense of God’s presence.  Oh, that we could maintain that grasp in our hectic, daily lives.

Imagine one year in fifty.  6 billion people.

The odds of bumping into someone.  Someone who lived in the same place at the same time.  Without knowing it.

So, here’s the story.

I’m sitting at our Lenten Lunch today.  We are eating sandwiches and consuming soup.  One of the lady pastors at the United Church is next to me.  I ask her church background.

In the midst of the telling she mentions Unionville, Ontario.  The only place she ever attended an Alliance church.  My interest is piqued.  I lived in Unionville.  From 1968-1969.

Same years as Chris (Wallace) Ewing.  She repeated the years.  Yes, they were the same.  And the church was the same.

We both took the names of our parents. I phoned mine tonight.  Mom said the name may be familiar. 

Now, wouldn’t that be unusual.  Both of us pastors in the same town!  With a chance meeting 40 years ago!!