Debbie Middlemann was telling me about her mother, Edith, the 94-year-old widow of Francis Schaeffer. Francis wrote powerfully and often about the dangers of euthanasia and the gift of life, and now his wife and daughter were putting his beliefs into practice.
Debbie said that hospices in her country slowly euthanize their patients, giving them ever-increasing amounts of morphine as they prepare them for heaven. But Debbie would have none of it. She brought her mother home and insisted that she savor the life that was left—listening to her favorite albums and books and eating home-cooked meals.
When Edith noted that she was old and might not live much longer, Debbie reminded her that she had what any young person had—this day. None of us know if we will be alive tomorrow, but we do know that God has given us this day. What are we doing with it?
Life goes by fast, and its pace quickens as we age. An entire week now feels like a long afternoon did when I was a kid. Are we almost a decade removed from 9/11? Is my child already starting school? I graduated how long ago? “Your life is like the morning fog,” James says, “it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (4:14).
Solomon responds to the brevity of life with sound advice: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore’ ” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
Now is our time. Don’t worry about tomorrow, for you might not be here anyway. Don’t put off until later what you can do now. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know that God has given us this day. How will you spend yours?
More:
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Next:
What friend, task, or duty have you been putting off? Procrastination is a form of disobedience. Do the right thing, and do it now.
Fernanda on February 17, 2010 at 7:43 am
It’s good to remember…
That I should change things TODAY…
That I should make a diference TODAY…
And TODAY goes so fast…
teedles on November 30, 2010 at 10:38 pm
All of this is so very true I have always look to the Lord for guidance and the uncertainty of tomorrow then one day back in 1994 I went to the doctor he said I had type 2 diabetes to make a very long story short. 16 years later I have 11 different diseases one foot in a grave and one on a banana peel. I know it sounds like I don’t have any faith but believe me the lord is very much in my life I am very involved in church I have been to healing services I have been prayed for I really thought I had enough faith to move a mountain. but I still go to the hospital every 2 months for something new with I rebuke it in the name of Jesus I am really at the end of my rope i am broke I really don’t know what I did to deserve this I know what your saying. but I really need help before I leave this earth prematurely
mike wittmer on February 17, 2010 at 8:10 am
Chileshe:
How encouraging to be able to trace God’s providence in your life! You’ve reminded me to do the same, and to devote my day in gratitude to God.
loananna on February 17, 2010 at 10:02 am
Thank you so much for “this day” devotion. I am struggeling so much with the “why’s” in life- why am I here? What am I doing that is making a difference? etc.. Though i look to our Lord every morning, I am forgetting to leave my cares at his feet and truely enjoy this day the Lord has made. Carrying my burdens is not what he wants but remembering that he is there to be with us and we are to give him our cares and to look up to him when things get tough. Thank you.
LindyLou on February 17, 2010 at 10:02 am
I am encouraged to see everyone live each day as it’s own. But I take offense to the statement that Hospice uses morphine to euthanize patients. Patients are only given morphine when they need it for symptom management, such as severe pain or shortness of breath. Comfort care is essential for a body to pass from this earthly existence into the hands of our creator. As a hospice nurse, we seek to treat the whole body, mind and spirit. And we encourage our patients to live each day as it comes. Quality of life, as opposed to quantity of life.
mrhsea on May 18, 2010 at 12:33 pm
LindyLou, I personally was so very encouraged by Mike’s devotional. I found myself in the same position as Debbie in his devotional just months ago, and I take offense to the statement that comfort care is essential for a body to pass form this earthly existence into the hands of our creator. I think God, our Creator may use a hospice comfort kit in some situations, but He is definitely not bound by it’s essential use. Nor should we assume every opportunity (age, health, financial burden, etc.) to be a reason for it’s use. Truly the Bible warns us of those who think they are doing God a favor.
Morophine is only one of the comfort kit drugs. Some of which if used inappropriately, definitely can cause excruciating pain and not comfort, as was the case with my mom, Hospice USA.
Though my mom, age 88 was sent home from a hospital stay with hospice by a well meaning unbelieving Dr., I responded as her caregiving daughter like Debbie looking for life each day as the day the Lord had made, and rejoicing in Him.
Three months later hospice is gone and mom is rejoicing in God and His Word, daily finding her strength in Him. Six months now and she is able once again to fix her own meals, take a short walk, in general to be on her own once again. Praise and thanks to God the author of all life, and the One who in His own time will bring us to heaven. We are encouraged to wait for Him to the praise of His Glory alone.
mike wittmer on February 17, 2010 at 10:25 am
LindyLou:
You are right to object to the notion that hospice uses morphine to euthanize patients. Debbie Middelmann was responding to the practice in Switzerland, which she believes is a little too strong with the drugs. She said that once you reach a certain age or condition there, that hospice is content only to prepare one for heaven (a good thing) and forgets that the person still has a life to lead now. That is her impression–and I can’t say firsthand whether it is right or wrong–but know that this was not intended as a general statement about hospice or pain management. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
tunny14 on February 17, 2010 at 10:28 am
Praise the lord for everything.
Sometimes, when im down, i always throw all the sadness behind.. leave everything to God, and show my happy face in front of all my family and friends… i want them to know the purpose of life..and i want them to know that, life is all about God, relationship with God. where as we were surrounded by the LOve of God… nothing shall be against him.. which mean that the purpose we live is to live happily…
Thanks for sharing Mike =)
God bless..
Yolie on February 17, 2010 at 10:39 am
I’m going to read books, play make-up makeovers, and bake cookies tonight with my 5 -year-old daughter 🙂
julienuzzo on February 17, 2010 at 1:37 pm
i really needed to read this. i have been struggling over the last few days, as my 34 year old brother passed away unexpectedly on friday. i didn’t even get to say goodbye. i realize how precious life is, and we should tell the people in our lives how much we love them before it’s too late.
mike wittmer on February 17, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Ioananna:
thank you for sharing your struggle. I’m not sure what all God has planned for you, but I’m pretty sure that the first thing he wants you to do is to rest in his cradle of grace. Thank him for life–both for creating you and sending Jesus to save you–and savor the moment in his presence. That’s a special gift you can give to him, and goes a long way toward answering the why questions.
mike wittmer on February 17, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Julie:
I am sorry for your horrible loss. Your concern makes me think that your brother probably knew you loved him–and if he knew Jesus, you will be able to share this with him in person some day!
julienuzzo on February 18, 2010 at 9:56 am
Hi Mike,
Thank you for the kind words. I am sad i guess for selfish reasons because i didn’t get to tell anthony that i loved him, and everything happened so fast. However, you are right, he did know Jesus, and now he is much happier than he ever could have been here.
Do you have any advice on how exactly i am to leave my problems with God? I keep trying to do so, but i don’t quite know how to. I’ve been praying for the strength to put all my trust in Him, but if you could offer anything else, i would greatly appreciate it.
julie
eden on February 17, 2010 at 6:44 pm
i love this passage.
coz by now, i’m worrying too much
do worrying too much for tomorrow but
this strenghtened me when i read about it.
life is like a fog…
it resounds in my head
bethanyF on February 17, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1
That verse made me realize that I shouldn’t let this world’s worries separate me from praying and praising my Savior. Dear God, please forgive me for the times I neglect giving you the time you deserve.
mike wittmer on February 18, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Julie:
I hear you–it can be difficult to know that we have poured all of our troubles and trust upon God. I have two ideas which might help.
1. Don’t focus on how strong your trust is in Jesus. Just look to him. As long as you focus on Jesus, he is strong enough to work with whatever faith you’ve got. It matters far more who your faith is in than how much faith you have.
2. Do something tangible to symbolize your desire to cast your cares on God. Write your burdens on a piece of paper and then burn them (safely) as a sign of giving them to God. Or tie them on a rock and throw it as far you can into a pond. There is a reason why God gave us sacraments–the physical signs of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Physical acts can support our faith.
And remember that regardless how you feel, God’s Word in 1 Peter 5:7 is true. You have God’s promise that he care for you and your brother. That will always be true even if you don’t feel it, but I pray that you will!
julienuzzo on February 19, 2010 at 11:19 am
mike:
thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙂
R R Kelkar on June 14, 2010 at 7:58 pm
A good post. Yes, I have this day and I am going to spend it in thanksgiving and positive thoughts.
julienuzzo on February 19, 2010 at 11:22 am
learning2serv:
thank you for your kind words, and i’m happy your prayers were answered. i think i will have to give this tangible act of “burning” my problems…thanks 🙂