Support for the family in crisis

I had the privilege to sit at the bedside of a dying saint the other day; this dear precious soul had not been able to talk for several days because of her medical condition.  It was quite evident that she could understand what I was saying and more so I knew from her expressions that she was most appreciative of the visit.  I sat there talking to her and her daughter for over a half an hour and during our visit she would nod from time to time as if in agreement and would offer other hand motions to get my attention and try to communicate with us.  Though her spirits appeared to be high there were all the signs of fatigue in her smile, signs that are often seen in those who have experienced more than their share of pain.  Her hands were old and worn but what touched me the most was the weakness of her grip as she held my hand.  She still had a gleam in her eyes but you could also tell that she knew more than she was letting on.  I do believe that she was holding back to stand strong in the presence of her daughter.  This was the first time that I had met this dear saint and I wanted her to know that she was more than just a simple hospital call to me.  It was not long before she began to tire so ended the visit with a moment of prayer.  After leaving her room I was able to spend a few minutes with the family and offered them all the support that anyone can in times like this. 

It was a few short hours later that I was called back to that same saint’s bedside but it was not a joyous reunion, at least not here in the hospital.  She had gone on home to be with the Lord, she had run her race, and she had finished her course and was now at peace and at home with Jesus.  The first thought that came to my mind after entering the room was from the Psalms where David wrote, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)  I could clearly see the peace and the love of the Lord in this situation.  This saint was now at home with Him.  As I stood there with the family I began to wonder through the scriptures that I have studied over the years.  I remember that the Apostle Paul said, “…absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8)  With that I began to put some thought in line with other passages of Scripture.  If the death of a saint is precious to the Lord (Psalm 116:15) and as the Apostle Paul believed that when absent from the body we’re present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8) and King Solomon said, “… the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)  Then perhaps it just might be that Christ Himself is present at their passing and He receives and escorts the passing saint into Glory. 

I sat there with the family for a little while chatting and offering them my sympathy and support in prayer the best I could especially under the present circumstances.  I would share a verse of Scripture and or say a prayer with different members of the family in an effort to help ease the pain and shock of death.  It is truly a blessing to see how the Word of God comforts in times like this.  It is no wonder that one of the most precious passages of Scripture that comforts in times like these also comes from the Psalms.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)  The comfort of the Lord is present when His saints go home to Him.  There is no need to fear for He is there to help us replace the pain of the experience with hope and assurance because of our faith and trust is in Christ, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
As I moved around the room talking to the different family members that were there I couldn’t help but notice the difference in the how each family member reacted.  One of them sat there holding the dear saint’s hand and carefully and lovingly continued stroking her arm.  At the same time she was taking in the vision of their family member noticing every blemish, every bruise and every flaw.  Occasionally they would ask me a question about what they observed or just to share a memory that had come to mind.  She would gaze upon the face of her loved one and smile or sigh then she would once again tell me another story or share another memory of this saint.  Another family member sat close to the bedside and held onto herself tightly almost wrapping herself up into a ball.  Every once in a while she would reach out and gently rub the shoulder of this dear saint, let out a deep sigh and then wrap herself back up into a ball  and begin weeping again.  They would join in the conversation from time to time but they were more reserved than the other siblings.  It is our trust in Christ that helps us through times like these because He alone offers HOPE that is needed.  He alone offers us something to hold on to that can and will carry us through the pain.  It is Christ alone that provides the peace that is need to calm the hurting soul.

You could see the signs of fatigue in most of the family members.  The adrenalin that they had been running on over the past several days was finally running out and exhaustion was settling in.  It is amazing how God gives us just what we need when we need it.  It is so evident that God in His gracious and loving care carries us through the rough times as only He can.  Once again I turn to the Psalms to find that which can close out this thought.  Psalm 48:14 says, “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”