Is life “the real deal”? Or is there more?

Is life “the real deal”? Or is there more?

You might wonder, “Where are you going with this?”

As a chaplain, I find many people do not think much about whether there is life after the one we are living now. Since daily life is quite preoccupying, it seems this is a matter that is easy to push aside. This is also true for people in regard to individuals completing their official end-of-life paperwork. I have witnessed many difficulties arising from the question, “Who can be the voice for this dying patient who cannot speak for herself or himself?”

According to the Pew Research Center, about three-in-ten U.S. adults say they have created 1) a will that describes what to do with their assets and belongings after they die (32%), and 2) a living will or advance health care directive in case they are unable to make their own medical decisions (31%)

Most people think death is not a sure thing—so, they do not want to think or plan for it. This seems to indicate the majority of our population are in denial about the fact that no one knows how much time they will have on this planet.

However, when people get to their 70’s and 80’s they are more apt to prepare wills and medical end-of-life paperwork. It is easy to understand why. If one is fortunate enough to live that long his or her human body has begun to change. Changes can be hard to take. Every day these are seen in the bathroom mirror, plus felt in various body parts. There is no ignoring it. And this serves as a reminder of the fact that no one can hang out here forever.

One woman told me while hospitalized, “Aging changes everything! I feel cheated. I get emotional about so many doctor appointments and sometimes need to make mad rushes in an ambulance to the hospital when my heart acts up like this.”

I knew she was widowed and said, “It must be extra hard to be alone at this time. Do you mind telling me, what helps you get through moments when you feel alone in the world--and cheated by the ageing process?

She said,” I think of my family and my grandchildren. I think of the love they have for me. I also find help in reading my Bible as I feel loved there, too. But my eyes are getting bad and it is hard to read . . . I cannot attend small church groups that meet during most weeks of the year. And I can’t get to church much as I do not feel well enough to dress up, then drive myself there. Sometimes I am housebound for weeks on end. I miss having people around me.”

I thought of the fact that not many people in their 70’s and 80’s are seen in the services we attend.

The patient was very thankful for our visit and was receptive to my offer to pray with her. Thankfully, she told of her pastor having paid a visit to her bedside.

During old age, we live on the truth that a better life with God is what comes next. Scripture tells us God is love. I believe we are given the gift of life to learn to love. Loving God, self and our neighbor, for the most part, finds us following the Good News Jesus taught.

Other powers that support us during the hardest times of life come in believing in God's promise that there are better times ahead for His children. Although being a senior citizen is tough I believe God uses the growing old process. Never before has life extended a better opportunity to grow in humility, patience and kindness (especially to your spouse). Endurance and gratitude do--without a doubt hold power.

These “fruits of the Spirit” come at a price . . . and they are beyond priceless. They are "the gold" and the goal post for a Christian getting ready for what's coming next--"the real deal."

Be sure to know all parts of the journey count—the good, the bad and the ugly. We learn from every phase of life. Often what gains a mammoth amount is learning to control ourselves. Nothing is lost--no pain, or sorrow . . . no suffering experience . . . as all helps to bring us more and more fully into being who we can be for goodness and for God. His purposes can and are being fulfilled in us. The rewards in heavenly places do come. Some here and many later. Scripture tells us these will be beyond what we can imagine.

The patience and endurance God has shown to me is beyond what I as a human can comprehend. I sometimes wonder, “Why do You love me so much?”

I hear in my heart, “Because you are mine; my very own child.”