Sunday, August 28, 2005

Death

There is an elderly man in the congregation who has been unable to attend services because of health problems. The church went to his house tonight. He has lost a lot of weight and looks close to death. His daughter cried as she sat next to him while another cuddled close.
Afterwards, my daughter asked if he was dying. I said yes. She said that was what she had heard and that was why we gathered around him.
There is a beautiful poetic scripture that says, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2
I need to really ponder this message today, my birthday.

10 comments:

trutje M. said...

Happy Birthday Carol!

I will look up the scripture to understand it, but I will not give you the Dutch version this time.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Your birthday?! Oh I hope every day following it proves life is only getting better. Best wishes for the year.

Carol said...

Martine,
Thanks for the "Happy Birthday"!
I was wondering what language that was. Let me know what you think of the verse.

Thank you for the birthday wish,Pearl!

kenju said...

Happy Birthday! I don't understand "and the living will lay it to his heart".

Carol said...

Hi Kenju,
The living will benefit from thinking about their mortality, being at a funeral or in a house of mourning brings that reality to mind.

elle said...

Happy Birthday!

Raehan said...

That was beautiful.

Happy birthday!!!!!!

moira said...

Happy birthday, Carol. Hope you had a wonderful day.

R.A. Slater said...

I'm a day late - but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Carol said...

Thanks all for dropping by and leaving a birthday greeting.