Dear Ones,
 
Hope you are having a good day. It is sunny here but windy and cool and high of 65. Hope it warms up for this holiday weekend. This morning I made individual egg dishes and bars and went downstairs for coffee. I need our walk today as I didn’t have time for it yesterday.
 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
 
Our lives on earth are just the prelude to the biggest day of all, our homecoming. But how we make the transition also has a great effect on our loved ones we leave behind. We don’t have a choice of when that will happen to us, but only that it will happen to all of us one day.
 
We have had several funerals recently, and for two young dads, death came suddenly from a heart attack without warning. Another man was elderly and sick, and had time to plan his funeral as he knew he didn’t have much time left. Al was able to pray with him several times and they talked about death in peacefulness as he was ready to go to his home to glory. Another man who is dying is questioning if there is an after-life and he cannot rest in peace yet and so we pray. Ronald Rolheiser writes in his book, Sacred Fire, about how our deaths can be a final gift to our loved ones. He said we choose if will we struggle against death in freedom or in clinging? Graciousness or bitterness? In anger or in forgiveness? Our attitude towards our final journey will leave a lasting impression with our loved ones.
 
Just yesterday Al and I visited my 94 year- old aunt who is in hospice now and staying with her daughter. She is very special in my life, like a second mom; we prayed together and talked about when the Lord would take her home one day and also the joy of seeing loved ones etc. She has no fear of death and is looking forward to that day in being united with the Lord.  My own mom was taken suddenly with a heart attack and my last memory of dad is tucking the covers around him and telling him I loved him before he was going to sleep. He responded with words that he loved me and I treasure that. Rolheiser said that we in many ways don’t fully appreciate others until after they go away; for later we sense that they are still with us for we are connected in spirit. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:3(The Message), “And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” Let us live in peace and look forward to the day the Lord comes back for us, for we will be with Him for all eternity.
 
Challenge for today: Live today with eternity in mind!
 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy