Photo by Gabriel Laroche on Unsplash
We have a neighbor whose husband passed away a couple of weeks ago.
Several of us who live in the neighborhood went over to share our condolences and bring a gift of remembrance to her. It was a sweet time of hearing her memories of life with her husband of 60+ years. He didn’t want a funeral, but requested a family reunion instead. So her children and grandchildren gathered together with her over the past two weeks to reminisce and take care of the tedious business required when someone dies. Her son is still there with her for the coming week, and her daughter will return when he leaves. We joked that this is why we have children, to care for us in our old age.
The truth of that statement hung in the air long after the laughter died down.
Tom and I left with a fresh realization that this will be our story in our next season of life. It is always a sobering thought that brings with it questions…
- Who will be left behind?
- How will we handle the parting?
- Will our children be near to help with the many details?
- What will it be like to live alone after being married for decades?
Many of us don’t like to consider these somber questions, but we do well to take thought of it.
A.W. Tozer said, “Let no one apologize for the powerful emphasis Christianity lays upon the doctrine of the world to come. Right there lies its immense superiority to everything else within the whole sphere of human thought or experience. When Christ arose from death and ascended into heaven, He established three important facts, namely that this world has been condemned to ultimate dissolution, that the human spirit persists beyond the grave and that there is indeed a world to come. We do well to think of the long tomorrow.”
Thinking of the long tomorrow helps us make wise decisions in our personal relationship with Christ and in our marriage. Our choices matter today, tomorrow and most importantly for eternity!
Have you spent time talking with your spouse about the long tomorrow?
The Romantic Vineyard 
This is so important!
Less than 36 hours ago I had a near-death experience, and it wasn’t my first. I’ll be going, sooner rather than later, and I want my wife to have a life and support system already in place.
To that end I’m encouraging her to develop her interests, and the friendships that she will need when I’m gone. This means she’s gone a lot on weekend, and yes, it does get lonely, but better me lonely that she having more burdens to bear on my death.
If you’re interested in a ‘fresh’ first-hand account of an NDE, I wrote it up in my blog:
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2018/04/your-dying-spouse-465-near-death.html
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As always, thank you for sharing your perspective. I read your blog post and I can’t imagine what that experience must have been like. Praying for you and your wife as you anticipate what’s to come.
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