“Trick or Treat”

I hate death!  I hate it!

It stalks me!  It stalks all of us our entire life.

It is an enemy!

Yet, it is used by God to check evil (a reason I don’t drive 100 on Highway 6) and to make me realize I’m not ruling the world – not even mine!

Death is allowed but that does not change my attitude about it (Jesus wept when it took Lazarus).

Four years ago my Mom was finishing up life here – not life – but life here.

She died on Nov. 2.

I woke this past night a few times thinking of her:

   her joy

   her faith

   her hope

   her laughter

   her love for God

   her love for Jesus

   her love for the Bible

   her love for Dad

   her love for family

   her love for me

   her love for home

   her love for church

   her love for friends

   her love for games

   her foods – especially chocolate

   her love for neighbors

   her love for the lost

   her love for life

But this ”goblin” showed up at her door about 30 years ago wearing a Parkinson’s costume calling out to her, “Trick or Treat!”

For years she gave it “treats” – meds, procedures, rest, appointments, meetings, and money and for years it continued to threaten her with “tricks.”

Finally, “tricks” started despite the “treats.”  She fell and broke a hip, then she started having UTI’s requiring hospital and care home stays, then swallowing issues which led to dehydration and death.

The “Halloween” event came to an end.

It was Oct. 29 that Mom uttered her last words to me.  And what better words could a son hear than, “I love you”?  The next day were her last words to Dad then she fell verbally silent and three days later her heart went silent.

I hate death!

Yet, I know that death and the grave have been defeated by Jesus.  So standing at Mom’s grave, while bitter, is empowering for I know that her house is but sleeping and He who made it will call her name and she will rise from that tomb!  Hallelujah.

Death is defeated!

Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you, Jesus!