Year End Reflection

My reflection stems around the family crisis of my father-in-law entering critical care on Dec 19th. It is never easy to see someone entering the precipice between life and death. God has been good and my father-in-law is still alive. He has been diagnosed with a terminal lung disease.

When I hear the word terminal it brings to mind two graphic photos. One is for those who don’t believe in God and therefore the picture is bleak with the long hall ending abruptly. Bleakness, blackness and all connections to God severed for eternity.

The other picture of terminal is where I would love for everyone to be. The long hallway ending in a door that only needs knocked upon. Jesus himself will open and answer. It opens into eternity in heaven with God.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).

Which will it be for you? An abrupt end or a simple knock? I pray the latter.

It took a lifetime of prayer, of many saints, to see my father-in-law reach up and knock on that door during this seemingly bleak time for him. I am filled with unspeakable joy that I will see him in eternity. Maybe even, God will grant that he will walk upon this earth for bit more time as a man who has tasted spiritual freedom from one act of knocking on that door.

Blessings,

Ellen