“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”—2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
Death is not a topic many of us like to discuss. However, our reality is that one day our heart is going to stop beating. Doctors may be able to prolong our life or enhance it through medications or surgery and we can live a healthy lifestyle, but the truth is that we aren’t going to live forever. It isn’t how God created us.
Shortly after we moved into our current home sixteen years ago, we found a church where I started a knitting ministry. At the first meeting there was only one woman, Carol, who showed up. She wanted to learn how to knit. Carol became a dear friend and prayer warrior in my life as well as the lives of other ladies who eventually joined the group.
She is one of the most selfless people. Her servant heart is contagious. Oh, and did our group look forward to her homegrown vegetables that she shared with us!
She was recently told her body was no longer responding to her cancer treatments and it was time to call hospice. When I went to visit her this past week, she was more concerned about my friend Melody’s cancer and wanting to know how my children were doing than talking about her failing health. She had even made this beautiful journal for Melody that she wanted me to give her. Each page she lovingly made as she prayed for her.
All I could think was, “here she is knowing she is dying, yet she is still serving the Lord and loving like Jesus.” She was talking about her funeral without getting teary eyed. While I know she doesn’t want to die, she is not afraid of it. She knows that she will cross over from this life to the next to spend eternity with Jesus.
When God is ready to bring her home, she is ready to meet Him. I can only hope and pray, when I am facing the end of my life that I can have the same attitude as Carol. When you look into her eyes, you don’t see sadness. You see a woman of faith who has the hope of Jesus in her heart.
Being an empty nester means that I am living the second half of my life. God willing, I have another 20-25 years to make an impact in this world like my friend Carol has. For me it is more important to finish well. As a faithful servant in God’s kingdom, I have a higher purpose.
Remaining faithful to God, my husband, family, and my calling is what life is about for me. My soul needs to be healthy for me to finish well in this life. I want to leave a legacy of a life that pointed others to Christ as well as being remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to share her testimony.
For those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we know that with death comes new life. With Christ, we have eternal security. We will one day be reunited with our Heavenly Father. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul knew he was nearing the end of his life. He did fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep his faith despite all the hardships he had endured.
Like Paul, we will find fulfillment knowing that we have accomplished what God called us to do. We unapologetically share Jesus with our unbelieving world. So, until I take my last breath I will continue to let God use me for His Kingdom work so that I too can finish well.
Father God,
Thank You for putting sisters in Christ in my life like Carol. I pray for her continued peace and comfort as she waits for her homecoming. I lift those up to You who are facing the death of a loved one. May they feel Your loving arms around them as they prepare for their passing. If their loved one doesn’t know You, give them the courage to speak to them about their salvation. Help me to live a life that honors and brings glory to You. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
April Verse
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”—John 10:10
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.