Have you ever sat at the bedside of someone who was dying? I have. When my beloved husband was dying of cancer, I was there, heartbroken at the thought of living the rest of my life on earth without him. But I was also thankful that when he left this earthly life, he’d be in heaven with Jesus. He’s there now. He’s no longer suffering, and he’s happier than he’s ever been. I’m thankful that one day I’ll be there too.
When I was a hospice nurse, I cared for many death-imminent patients. I tried to keep them comfortable and help them and their families prepare as much as possible for death. Afterwards, I pronounced my patient dead, notified the doctor, and comforted the family. Then I contacted the funeral home and prepared the body to be taken to the funeral home. Working as a hospice nurse was the most challenging, heartbreaking, and at times rewarding job in my nursing career.
Sometimes I cared for people for months before they died. It was comforting to know that some made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus, and they looked forward to eternity with Christ. But it was heartbreaking that others rejected Christ. Many were afraid to die, and some were still searching for something to believe in. If they were willing to listen, I shared the gospel with them. It was a blessing when some received Christ before they died.
One week, as I watched several patients pass from this world into eternity, I was struck by the differences between those who knew Jesus and clung to the hope of heaven and those who had rejected God’s gift of salvation. I thought about the contrast and wrote “Two Deaths.”
Two Deaths
One night my patient died.
In my notes I wrote, “Attended death. Family members and nurse at bedside. Respirations ceased. Unable to obtain pulse or blood pressure. Pronounced at 3 a.m.”
In my heart I know, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Psalm 116:15 KJV
In my notes I wrote, “Doctor and funeral home notified. Family members comforted.”
With my lips I quote, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV
In my notes I wrote, “Family members coping well.”
My spirit sings, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV
Thank you, Lord, for the joy of knowing that my patient is your child and is with you forever.
Another night, another patient died.
In my notes I wrote, “Attended death. Family members and nurse at bedside. Respirations ceased. Unable to obtain pulse or blood pressure. Pronounced at 6 p.m.”
In my heart I know, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27 KJV
In my notes I wrote, “Doctor and funeral home notified. Attempted to comfort family.”
I try to give comfort, but my mind repeats words that my lips dare not speak.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 KJV
My heart cries out, “Oh God. Was his name written there?”
In my notes I wrote, “Family members grieving.”
But my notes cannot explain the agony of hell.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36 KJV
The Bible makes it clear that those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior have their sins forgiven and will spend eternity with the Lord. Those who reject Christ will be separated from God forever.
Consider these words from the Lord Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 KJV
If you died today, would you go to heaven or hell? If you’ve already trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, your sins are forgiven, and you have the wonderful promise of eternal life with the Lord. Will you thank God today and tell others what Christ has done for you? If you haven’t trusted in Christ, it’s not too late.
Do you believe that you’ve sinned and that the Lord Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Are you willing to confess your sin to God and receive Christ as your Savior? Consider these verses from God’s Word.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 KJV
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12 KJV
Beautifully written.
Thank you, Mary.
You write beautifully.
Thank you for your encouragement, Mary.
Beautiful! I love to read your writings.
Thank you, Anita. I’m glad they’re a blessing for you.
Thank you, Esther!
What a contrast.
You’re welcome, Dave. I’m glad I can share the contrast the Lord showed me.
I love this, Esther. And your perspective as a hospice nurse is so powerful! I see a novel with two brothers, one a prodigal.
Thank you for your encouragement. That would be a good idea for a novel.
What a vivid comparison and so well said.
Thank you, Janice. I appreciate your kind words.
Precious truth here, thanks for sharing sister Esther!
Thank you for your encouraging comment, brother Bob.
Well done, Esther. I love how you organized your thoughts to enhance the contrast.
Sue, thank you for your comment. I appreciate your encouragement.
You have a gift, my friend!
Thank you, dear friend. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness.
“Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.”
I Thessalonians 5:24
Dear Esther,
Your “Spirit” & writings continue to bless me. I have indeed been with loved ones who passed on to the arms of Jesus & it was a sad, but joyful experience, just as you shared so beautifully….
Dear Rhonda,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m thankful the Lord shows us in His Word that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” That promise is such a comfort for us when our saved loved ones die.