The memorial service was Saturday for a friend who lost his life in a tragic accident when he was almost home on a new motorcycle. He was a vigorous active man…a loving husband with grown children. He was a believer in Jesus Christ…active in his church.
Out of season, cutting short a life we expected to continue for another 20-40 years. Gone in a flash. When death comes at the end of a long and full life, I can accept it…at least intellectually…a part of an orderly existence. As a believer in Jesus Christ, he was instantly ‘absent from the body, present with the LORD.’
However, when death comes unexpectedly and early, all the “WHY” questions flood the minds of friends and family.
Unfortunately, regardless of how or when death comes, we hardly ever get ready for its coming.
I don’t grieve for where my friend is, I grieve for where he ISN’T, and by the way, it was not a surprise to God when he showed up at heaven’s gates. Psalm 139:16…all his days were numbered before any of them began.
So, what is the reminder for you and me from this experience?
What preparations have you made for end-of-life events? All too many people wait to make provisions until confronted by death. What would it be prudent for you to do TODAY to be ready, regardless of when death invades your home?
For example, do you have a resource like this:
- An up-to-date Last Will and Testament? (do you review it annually?)
- Have you added codicils as needed?
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare – appointing someone to speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself about your health
- Durable Power of Attorney for Finances – appointing some to speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself about your finances
- Advanced directive to physicians?
- Do Not Resuscitate instructions?
- Instructions for your funeral arrangements?
- Traditional service – casket/service/graveside
- Cremation – memorial service
- Willed body program – Medical Schools
- Written instructions for the program
- Last message to your family to be given to your survivors when you die…hand written, typed, voice record or video?
- Plans for your funeral/memorial service…where, who to invite to conduct the service, music…don’t leave it to those you leave behind.
One final note and story. Long ago in a faraway place I worked with a lady who had a very loud and angry argument just before he drove off to work one morning. She followed him out the door and threw a Pyrex pie plate which shattered against his truck as he was leaving. At 3pm that afternoon, he was broadsided and killed on the Interstate. Years later the grief and pain of that unfinished business continued to haunt her
You never know when the last day of life will come. Please don’t waste a single one. Make your partings sweet and gentle, I mean it. And then make sure your plans are in order for the day when the end will come. Make today a good one. Now I’m going to go tell The Gorgeous Redhead how much I love her.
A GREAT RESOURCE
