Sunday we received word that Kimberly's cousin's husband (Michael) died from injuries sustained from a fall from a ladder while at work. Michael was only 40 years old and leaves behind two elementary age boys. I just keeping thinking about those two little guys. How does a Mom tell her boys that Daddy won't be coming home? How do boys at that age even begin to process what this means for them now and for the rest of their lives? How does the widow have time to grieve when she has two little boys who are grieving? How does the family celebrate Thanksgiving when the following two days they will face calling hours and a funeral?
I am sorry to be somewhat of a downer during a season of thanksgiving, but perhaps it is this honest dose of reality that will allow all of us to take the meaning of this season all the more seriously. You see, when I think of this 40 year old dad's death, I am reminded that life is fragile. As much as I want to believe that I am invincible and that it is other people who get sick and die, the reality is my life is just as fragile as that of anyone else. And that means your life is fragile, too. The Bible says, "It is good for a man to think of his own death." It is good because until we accept just how fragile life is, can we ever truly appreciate what a gift life is?
The more I see how fragile life is the more free I am to let go of what does not matter and more fully embrace all the little things that truly do matter. Like the kiss of my beautiful wife of 11 years. The giggle of my son as I tickle his belly. The smile of my baby girl as I tell her she is beautiful. The phone call from an older sister in Christ who I know has my back. The email from a friend that speaks truth in a way that makes me want to be more like Christ. The presence of Christ showing up in that intimate way that no one and nothing can take away. The more I see how fragile life is, the more I can embrace what makes life worth living.
But I am even more thankful that life is not only fragile, but eternal. Michael knew Christ and the Bible says in Romans 8 that not even detach can separate him from the love that is in Christ Jesus. The more I accept that life is eternal, the more I have reason to give thanks. I am living for more than I can cram into the timeline I have been granted. Our purpose is bigger than a birth and death date. Our value, according to God, is infinite. And when I can take account of my life from an eternal perspective, my life not only takes on more meaning, but it also gives me all the more reason to give thanks in all circumstances. We serve a God who refused to let death have the final say. He broke out of the grave just to show us that life may be fragile, but it is also eternal!
I know that most people who read these "Random Thoughts" of mine already have a personal relationship with Christ, but today if you are reading this and you are struggling with how fragile life can be and desire to experience eternal life even before you die, I hope you know that I am here and I would be honored to talk and pray with you.
I pray for all of you a Happy Thanksgiving as you celebrate all of God's gracious gifts in this fragile life and God's forever gift of eternal life!
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