Death

 On Tuesday afternoon we had to have our dog put to sleep.

Death is a strange thing. The fact we react so strongly against it hints at what an aberration it is. Death wasn't in the original plan of Creation. There wasn't supposed to be any death, any sickness, any pain. We were supposed to live in complete harmony with our Creator for eternity, without fear, in complete harmony and joy. 

Humanity's rebellion against God changed all that. We want to do things our way, seize control of the steering wheel, even though we don't know how to drive. As C S Lewis wrote, death is a severe mercy; it brings to an end the destructive tendencies which wreak such havoc in our lives and societies but is the cause of so much pain. The ripping separation that is death does call a halt to the pain and suffering we can experience in life but also causes so much pain to those who remain. For those who choose to follow Jesus death brings us to an unmitigated communion with him - no more tears or sadness or suffering. To those who have chosen not to follow Jesus in earthly life their choice is respected and after death all they experience is a terrifying and excruciating existence without him. Thank God that he is so loving and eager for a relationship with us that all it takes is our heartfelt consent and acknowledgement of Jesus to set us right with him.

How does this apply to my much loved dog?

Love is what lasts. God's love for us and our love for others.

Merlot was special in his own quiet way. He left his mark, as the tearful reactions of our dog-walking acquaintances show. I am thankful that one day he was running and rolling in the long grass. The next morning his back legs were paralysed and we knew. I am thankful that the decision was so clear cut. No what ifs...? Should we wait a while and see....? No gradual decline. Even the vet said if Merlot were his dog he would choose euthanasia.

It's interesting that the little dog I'd brought home from the SPCA as a companion to Merlot is, in his own way, trying to grow into Merlot's footsteps. There has been a definite development of maturity in the last few days.

Death is painful and it should be.

Perhaps it's fitting that Merlot's death happened at Easter time when Jesus conquered death once and for all and was raised to life to prove it.

Merlot

Merlot and Sam

Upstanding Sunday

 I often drive past the large Dutch Reformed Church (the Moderkerk) in Wellington, frequently having to wait for the traffic lights to change. While I sit there I like to work out the Afrikaans on their notice board. They're very good at putting details about services and preachers on display early in the week. At the moment I'm really taken by the word for Easter Sunday - Opstandung Sondag - Resurrection Sunday. It tells you more about what we're celebrating than the word "easter" with all its pagan connotations - the resurrection of Jesus after his amazing sacrifice of life for our sake.

Opstandung also sounds so much like Upstanding. I like that too. Jesus stood up from death and left it behind, defeated. As his followers we need to stand up and be counted for him in life, words and rejoicing that we've been freed from the need to fear death ourselves.

It's simple but it's wonderful.

Wellington Moderkerk