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My Personal Date With MS and Death
Submitted to About-Him by Angela Watkins angelas43wisdom@aol.com The views expressed by our guest writers are not necessarily endorsed by About-Him.Com Let your mind reflect on "The Book of Job" according to the first chapter. I began to let "Job" speak to my heart from Job 1: 18-21. My mother, Delores Sims had Multiple Sclerosis, and she left us on March 7, 2000 at 5:15 pm. March 4, 2000 was the last sunday that spent with her and March 7, 2000 was the last day that I would spend the with her. Last year I came to appreciate 1 Thessalonians 4:13. As I struggled with my final goodbyes, I thought about the promise that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. That did not take away my grief, but God's promise of the resurrection put a concrete floor under it. I thought to myself as I stood at my mother's gravesite "she will arise". I pray to the Lord for help with my grief and now to help me reach out to help other grieving people via of sharing resources. Anger is a strong source of grief. You(I) may feel angry towards others. That is natural. I can imagine when we are ashamed and hold our anger in; it on! ly complicates the situation and healing can not take place in your life. I learned to be honest with my emotions so I could deal with them and work through them. When death occurs "God" is in the same place He always was. God bears our pain, feels our hurt and he has already conquered death. First, no matter who we are, death will usher us in to the presence of God. Second, we don't have to avoid thinking about death, because death does not have the last word. I am planning a trip. I've been checking into airline and hotel prices. I like to have the details arranged well before I go. But there are some things I can't be sure of. I can buy a ticket to get there, but I can't be sure that I'll be around to board my flight. Plans, hopes, and dreams involving tomorrow, next year and even the next century are all necessary. We think we are in control even though we really aren't. We arrogantly plan for tomorrow as if it were ours to "Command". The things of this world are so uncert! ain that we should never really bank on them but on God. The wealth that God gives, whether much or little, is an opportunity to invest in our eternal future. Jesus lived more in his short lifetime of 33 years than people who live to be 100 or more. As we see violence, blood shed, sudden tragedy we can realize that each day by the Giver, is never to be taken for granted. At times the Christian life is a struggle. The book of Hebrews compares it to a race. And along the way it is possible to become discouraged and to feel defeated. In 1 Corinthians 15:26 Paul describes death as the last enemy. People who are dying need others nearby because then they know they are not abondoned. In life and in death, we need to know that we belong and are wanted. Useful Resources: Living Beyond Multiple Sclerosis - A Woman's Guide, Judith Lynn Nicholl published by Hunter Houses. MS Handbook "Multiple Sclerosis 1-800-456-2255 or visit http://www.mscenter.org. Recommended Reading and Sharing With Others:Sister Strength, compiled by Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook Author of Sister to Sister (2000 Thomas Nelson Publishers,http://www.thomasnelson.com ISBN 0-7852-7072-8). This book has devotions for and from African American Women touching on such topics as success, failure, heartbreak, grief just to name a few. You will recieve a thought for the day and prayer after each chapter that gives hope to keep us marching onward on the life journey.You will be reminded that it is a blessing to arise and not find yourself in the obituary column. You will revisit Brother Job and be reminded of the lessons and how to face /overcome problems. This book would be great for parents, churches, parenting programs, individuals, and women. Beside Still Waters by Thomas Kindale (2000 Thomas Nelson Publishers,http://www.thomasnelson.com ISBN 0-7852-6844-8). Kindale is a devoted evangelical Christian and devoted family man. This book may be read in 31 days; at the end of each daily reading you will have focused on inspiring/uplifting messages and a scripture. I would recommend this book for fathers, pastors, laymen, parenting classes and newlywed men. Garden of Friendship by Thomas Kindale (2000 Thomas Nelson Publishers, http://www.thomasnelson.com ISBN 0-7852-6845-6). Breath-taking/Exceptional/Inspiring quotes coming from Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci, Ralph Waldo Emerson,African/French/Arabian/Jewish/Czech/Chinese Proverb, John D. Rockfeller Jr.,Aristole and Scriptures. There is space for you to have a journal while reading this book. I would recommend this book to all so we would never forget the value of having a real friend. Angela Watkins, angelas43wisdom@aol.com Angela's Website http://www.angelaswisdom.com
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