Midnight Musings
It’s 4:00 a.m. The 97-year-old man in the bed in front of me is dying. His family has gone home to get some much-needed rest, and I have been here at his bedside for almost three hours, providing comfort care and pain relief to him.
I recite Psalm 139 to him from memory. The rich meaning of the words has made it a longtime favorite of mine: “When I was made in the secret place, Your eyes saw my unformed body… All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” I don’t know if he can hear me anymore, but I tell the dying man that he is known and loved by God. I tell him that it is not too late to receive forgiveness and eternal life. I tell him how to do so.
His breathing is shallow, and he begins to hiccup rhythmically. A moment later, the baby in my womb gets the hiccups, too. The poignancy of the moment startles me. Tonight I am witness to one life that is ending and home to another that is just beginning. Both are immeasurably valuable.
I think about how marginalized both the elderly and the youngest among us are. The 97-year-old because he can no longer contribute to society in a productive way, and the 26-week-old for the very same reason.
And yet, God knows all the days ordained for both of them. He knew the old man when he was a fetus in his mother’s womb, hiccupping, and He knows him now. And, He knows the day that my baby will be in this man’s shoes, dying.
Similarly, sometimes Seth and I don’t always recognize the great honor that it is to be able to stand for the preborn. It becomes mundane, or even tiresome. We want the battle to be over.
But both old lives and new lives are infinitely valuable to God. Both are human, both made in His image, both worth protecting.
Tonight, I am reminded that it is a privilege to care for that which God calls precious.
I recite Psalm 139 to him from memory. The rich meaning of the words has made it a longtime favorite of mine: “When I was made in the secret place, Your eyes saw my unformed body… All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” I don’t know if he can hear me anymore, but I tell the dying man that he is known and loved by God. I tell him that it is not too late to receive forgiveness and eternal life. I tell him how to do so.
His breathing is shallow, and he begins to hiccup rhythmically. A moment later, the baby in my womb gets the hiccups, too. The poignancy of the moment startles me. Tonight I am witness to one life that is ending and home to another that is just beginning. Both are immeasurably valuable.
I think about how marginalized both the elderly and the youngest among us are. The 97-year-old because he can no longer contribute to society in a productive way, and the 26-week-old for the very same reason.
And yet, God knows all the days ordained for both of them. He knew the old man when he was a fetus in his mother’s womb, hiccupping, and He knows him now. And, He knows the day that my baby will be in this man’s shoes, dying.
I usually don’t feel very happy to be woken in the middle of the night and dragged out of bed to care for someone who is sick, but tonight, I am struck by the sacred gift that it is. God knew this man as he was knit in his mother’s womb, and He created this man in His beautiful image. This man is precious to God.
Similarly, sometimes Seth and I don’t always recognize the great honor that it is to be able to stand for the preborn. It becomes mundane, or even tiresome. We want the battle to be over.
But both old lives and new lives are infinitely valuable to God. Both are human, both made in His image, both worth protecting.
Tonight, I am reminded that it is a privilege to care for that which God calls precious.
That was beautiful Aubrie. Made me cry. Every word of it is so true. - Amanda Country
ReplyDeleteThanks Aubrie, I always enjoy reading you guys' postings.
ReplyDeleteWow Aubrie!! I really appreciate your post and you laying the truth right out there. Also, I am so proud to see you out there sharing your faith with dying people!! If that man was not saved, he was given one last chance because you were willing to be a tool in God's hands. Thanks so much for caring for the dying and the unborn!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Mom D
Wonderful post, Aubrie! This is a great perspective and wonderful reminder to all of us!
ReplyDelete