The blessing of life – physical and spiritual

It's Easter Sunday night as I sit here and reflect on this good day, this God day, and the life that God gives us – both physical and spiritual. Life is a precious blessing we all enjoy… until we don't. My hospice work is with people who are usually close to the end of their earthly stay. I say "usually" because sometimes people, in contrast to their doctor's assessment, end up remaining for longer than they thought. I walk along with people as they slowly, or quickly, head for the earthly exit. I walk with them right up to the shores of that river, and then bid them farewell as they pass on. I wave, and return to the land of the living. For now. Tennyson's poem "Crossing the Bar" captures in 16 lines some of this experience. He declares, "And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark." I see sadness, or happiness, or relief or stoic resignation at people's dying. I see, and sense, and respond accordingly. I am merely along for the ride. In "Thanatopsis," William Cullen Bryant instructs us to "approach thy grave like one one wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down in pleasant dreams." And so tonight, in retrospect and in anticipation, I am thankful for the miracle of life we all enjoy. This also includes the happy time we had today both in church as well as a nice meal with five of our family members. For the first time I broiled "lamb lollipops," little cuts of meat on a bone that look like a popsicle stick. It was a hit with all but one of our group. Carol made a cooked carrot dish with multicolored carrots, honey, brown sugar and some spices. Both dishes were new to us. She is the consummate hostess. Greater than this temporary time on earth is the eternal spiritual life God breathes into us as a foretaste of heaven. Life is Christ (Philippians 1:21). Life is abundant (John 10:10). Life is forever (John 10:28) and everlasting (John 3:16). On Easter, we celebrate the eternal life God has by His grace given us. Although these physical bodies get old and wear away, the new life in our soul grows stronger and stronger. As Jesus declared in John 14:19, "Because I live, you shall live also." Tom Rupp is a Folsom resident and weekly Telegraph columnist. You can reach him at truppfolsom@yahoo.com.