Mortality

Romans 14:8

The Voice (VOICE)

 For if we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. So in both life and death, we belong to the Lord.

The recent tragic passing of Robin Williams reminds me of my own mortality. He was almost 10 years younger than I, which makes it even more tragic. My mother and father have both left the field of battle against the evil one. Sylvia’s father passed away many years ago. Her mother, Grace, is still fighting the battle, and we have the privilege of having her in our home often. She will turn 98 yet this month, and the years are eroding her strength.

In 2001 Grace joined us for a six week road tour from California east to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. We walked along the rugged shore of the North Atlantic as the angry waves dashed themselves against the rocks. We relived stories of the war that sent Dad to France while we stood along the shores of Bedford Basin where the great convoys were secretly assembled to go to the relief of the allied forces. We basked in the rugged beauty of the World Heritage Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and counted icebergs off the fog enshrouded Labrador Coast. We shared the romance of Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island. In the Bay of Fundy our tiny, two-car ferry skirted the Sow, largest whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, carefully coming close enough to use the twirling waters to speed it on its way, but not so close as to get sucked into it. Grace loved it all. An ardent Protestant, she hesitated entering some of the great stone cathedrals, fearing she was treading in Satan’s lair.

At the impressive Montmorency Falls outside Quebec City, she rejoiced in her own strength as she climbed the some four-hundred steps so she could walk across the bridge over the top of the falls. Today walking comes harder, and she feels more comfortable with something to help her keep her balance. Through it all she still rejoices that she always belongs to the Lord.

We love You, Lord, for Your love for us whether we are in the prime of our strength or in our declining years.