GOD WILL TAKE CARE
OF ALL OF US
I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better. Yet that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. – Philippians 1:23-24
“We want Dad to live.” This was our sibling agreement that day in the hospital when Dad had his episode in the presence of his family and friends. Most of the people in the room were resigned to the fact that he was going to go. Not us. We wanted him to stay. True enough, he survived. Miraculously, he regained his strength and even spent the rest of the day conversing and joking with his guests.
But the next morning found us surrounding Dad barely breathing on his deathbed. We were all holding hands, singing our favorite praise songs. My older sister, Geegee, leaned in towards him and whispered, “Dad, if you really want to go already, it’s alright. We’ll respect your decision. We love you.”
At that moment, I surrendered Dad to the Lord. A few minutes later, he breathed his last and moved on to a much better place — one with no more pain and no more suffering.
It’s hard to let go of the people in our lives. I imagine they don’t want to leave us either. But by faith, we eventually just need to trust that we will all be alright. We will survive life without them, and they will be in a better life from then on. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)
Reflection: Are you having difficulty letting go of someone dying? What will be best for them?
Lord, You are the Lord of life. I trust in Your wisdom.
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment