Resting in Peace

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.  Isaiah 57:2

“R.I.P.” (Rest in Peace) on a gravestone carries many messages.  Was it a hard life that now has no problems?  Some would say a body in a tomb is problematic.  Does the message convey doubt over whether the departed had unfinished buisness?  Who, indeed, could manage to handle all of life’s errors and omissions in the “cleanup phase” of one’s life?  Yet Isaiah says that “Godly paths” is the route to resting in that place of peace when your days are done.  Possibly the meaning of “Godly paths” is what another prophet, Micah, said about the Lord’s requiring us to walk the path of doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.  Without doubt, caring for family is part of that trifold formula.  

My friend, and colleague, Bill, cared for his aged and dying father for many months.  On the night before his death, the disturbance from the other end of the house caused Bill to look-in on his Dad.  A nightmare had awakened the old man.  When Bill came into the room, his father looked straight at him and asked:  Are you alright?  Bill assured him, he was fine, and his Dad drifted right back off to sleep.  A few minutes later he stopped breathing. 

Hanging on, until the assurance your work is completed here on earth isn’t over-rated.  Rather, it’s assurance in two directions; there is comfort for the one who is dying, which allows passing peacefully, as well as comfort for those left behind that you were loved…and the story isn’t over.  It’s an anchor memory.

Courtesy Pixabay.com

I had that kind of personal experience with Ruby and her three dachshunds.  Cookie was the mama, a sleek, graying, 17 year old, with her two pups, Flip and Gerry, brother and sister, still in great health and vitality at 15.  Ruby was not in good health at all.  She lived alone for many years before she died.  Those three wiener-dogs were her family.  When Ruby sensed her time was coming she called me to her home for a “chat”.  It was something of an ambush of the wet-behind-the-ears new pastor.  Ruby put on that face that said:  Take pity on a poor widow, preacher.  Russell (…the easy mark he is..) caved and promised to take care of the herd of hot-dog dogs.  Having finished her last bit of earthly stewardship, Ruby Luhrs slipped into Jesus’ arms a few days later.  That was in 1983. 

After 40 years of retrospect, I can say that Ruby had a lot to do with teaching me the kind of pastoral care I wish I’d been better at…making sure, as Bill’s Dad demonstrated, that, even in the dying process we can extend the grace God has shown us, and entrusted to our care, by simple, open transfer of love. 

For You Today

When all is said and done, it isn’t the size of the bank account, or the magnificence of an estate you might leave to loved ones, but dwelling on what will express care for that which is meaningful, hands-on caring to alleviate suffering in this life, and hearts-on caring for the soul for all eternity.

That’s the very definition of walking humbly with your God.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title image: Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©