Beginnings and Endings…

My husband’s father had a stroke over six years ago.  Right before Christmas of 2011 he fell and suffered a brain injury that nearly killed him.  He is in recovery but is in a “different place” his sister reports to us.  My  husband is grieving the loss of his father in that he isn’t the same.  They used to talk daily and now he has spoken to him maybe once in over a month.

I look at my new baby boy and sometimes think he looks like a wrinkled little old man.  I think about the labor and delivery and how it was full of joy but also full of pain.

I see a thread of commonality between beginnings and endings.  It humbles me when I think of the power of God and how He brings us into this world and how, eventually, He also takes us out.  We have to be thankful for it and everything in between.

My sister is a doctor and she once explained to me that from the moment we are born our cells will strive to return to the prior state of equilibrium.  We are living to die in a way.

We do not die in vain though, we have a purpose and must keep our eyes on the prize.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

The verse reminds me that we are like the flame the runner carries for the Olympics – we have a purpose and we are to shine brightly regardless of how long our light shines.

So even when I feel exhausted from nursing, or am grieving the loss of a loved one, I remember why and I am strengthen and encouraged to run the good race and to spend my time raising my sons to have a relationship with the Lord and encouraging others to do the same.  I want to end well.