She was (and is) the one with whom I hope to spend the rest of my life. From those earlier times when it was a new experience until now when it never grows old, watching her breathe means, among other things, commitment. It means that home is wherever the two of us happen to be.
She was our firstborn. We had prayed for her to be healthy and God had graciously granted us a positive answer to that prayer. He also did that later when her brother was born. Watching her (and her brother) breathe and sleep was such a joy. It meant that these two precious souls felt contentment. It meant that our family had grown and that, at least to them, home was wherever mommy and daddy were.
She is our last remaining parent. Both of my parents and Donna’s father have preceded her in death. As I write this, Donna and I are sitting in her mother’s room and watching her breathe. That’s all she’s been able to do for quite a while now. It probably won’t be long until she breathes for the last time.
While I cannot say that this experience is as pleasant as the others, there is still something very positive about it. For years, she has been a faithful member of God’s family. Because of that, the members of her earthly family know that she has an eternal home waiting for her. We have no doubt about that fact that, in His own time, her Father will welcome her home. Her sleep is a sleep of security.
Three special people --- three types of sleep --- one earnest prayer… May God help the one who is writing these words and those who may read them be committed to Him and His Word; content with the blessings He has bestowed; and secure in their relationship with Him and in their hope of heaven. If, with His help, we can do that, a wonderful lady who never had much to say will have preached a great sermon with her life. If we are able to put her sermon into practice in our lives, she will not be the only one to hear the words, “Well done.”
- Jim Faughn serves as an elder and preacher for the Central church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: Central church of Christ
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