Is there life after death?

No feeding tube. Mom and Dad had discussed this numerous times and had promised each other over and over they would not let that happen........Daddy couldn't swallow. He was paralyzed on his right side. He couldn't speak. He was groggy from the meds, but when, in his semi-consciousness, he heard the doctor discussing a feeding tube, he raised up, intensity in his eyes and looked at Mom. "Don't worry, honey. I won't let them do that to you" she assured him. Daddy settled a bit, still hanging on to every spoken word, alert, waiting.

The doctor continued to explain to Mom the reasons for a feeding tube and the repurcussions of not having one. She explained to Mom she would be starving Daddy to death, watching him day after day, slowly dieing. Nevertheless, anguishing, Mom would not budge. No feeding tube.

Completely confused, the doctor turned to Daddy. He was alert and could nod his head. "Mr. Dean, do you understand what will happen without a feeding tube?" He nodded his head. "You know what this means?" He nodded his head. "So you do not want a feeding tube?" He shook his head. "You're okay with this?" Again, affirmation. "Well, that's it then." And the doctor shrugged her shoulders, turned and walked out, absolutely sure they had made the wrong decision.

Daddy relaxed. His blood pressure dropped significantly, and he closed his eyes. Preparations were made to move him out of the ICU and into another room. Two day later, Daddy was discussing it all with Jesus. The doctor was called back in to confirm he was gone. There was really no medical reason he should be gone yet. The doctor seemed at a loss once again.

Why wasn't he fighting to stay alive? Why was Mom so calm about it all. Why, with seven children was there not one who disagreed? Where was the fear, the uncertainty? Love for him was evident. We didn't want him to go. What then?

Relationship. In a society where death is to be avoided at all costs, you do everything you can to stay alive. We dread death. We fear it. We don't want it and run from it given the opportunity. So, why was it so easy for Daddy to move toward his death with peace and contentment? Why was heaven his peaceful choice? Relationship. Not his mom and dad who were already there. Not the unborn child whom he'd never met who waited for him. No. The primary draw with his relationship with his Savior. He longed to see Jesus. Daddy always told us GOD IS REAL. He knew this to be true and couldn't wait to be with him. This desire drew him from loving relationships here to the One who gave His life as a sacrifice to pay for Daddy's sin. This was truth beyond doubt for my dad. He never wavered. And so he did not fear. He longed for it and was glad to make the transition.

What of us left behind? Do we fear death? What does that say of our relationship with Christ? GOD IS REAL. One day "every knee will bow, every tongue confess" and we will understand once and for all His deep desire for close intimate relationship with us.

"...O death, where is thy sting?....."