What a long time it can take to become the person one has always been!  How often in the process we mask ourselves in faces that are not our own. (Parker Palmer)

For the past six months I have been on a journey of self-discovery; seeking to clarify who I am, what I believe and most importantly, where I am going.  The CREST program in which I am enrolled has been a great resource as I seek to better understand my story and purpose.  I have gained much insight into the values I hold; values that drive my day-to-day decisions.  As well I have been able to affirm my strengths and better understand how God has wired me up; and, how all these things are at work in my life, defining not only who I am but playing a critical role in determining where I am going.

In the most recent encounter were encouraged to capture our dreams.  While I have never been comfortable with the world 'dreams', I have always known I am 'a dreamer'; my mind has always envisioned how things could be.  Sometimes such dreams have been driven by  restlessness and other times I convinced they have been prompted by the Spirit.

Over the last couple of years I have sensed a growing passion to call and encourage people to finish well; to live well right to the end thus avoiding the 'fade' I have witnessed in too many lives.  Out of this passion, along with my involvement with the Hospice Society, a dream has emerged; a dream to 'let your life speak'.

While most of would like to walk through our final years in good health and then quietly slip from this life to the next, statistics indicate that such a scenario will not happen for many.  Most will face health concerns and the challenges of growing older; such challenges will derail many from finishing well.  Before we reach such a point / early in having to deal with any end of life concerns, I would like to encourage people to capture their own stories and any thoughts or words they'd like to pass along to the next generations.

As I envision this in my mind, I see a team of volunteers, perhaps from Valley or the community (perhaps High School students) spending time with those who know their journey is going to come to an end (or even those who have reached a point that they would like to engage in such a project because they have reached a milestone birthday) to record their stories / words.  I wonder if a computer program exists or can be created in which digital voice files and written words can be recorded and photos / images added to create a story book; a lasting legacy of a life well lived.

Such a project would allow those dealing with aging / end of life concerns to have a purpose; it would provide a lasting memory for family and friends and may help everyone find some comfort and encouragement in what can often be a difficult season. 

I see God showing up and meeting people through this journey and in turn many finding strength and joy along the way--even as life here on earth comes to an end; which it will for all of us.  We don't have to be morbid about this reality, we just have to recognize it is a journey we must all take.  And as we do, we have choices we can make to that will allow us to finish well and to be a blessing to those closest to us!

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 
(Psalm 139:16)

Yesterday a good friend emailed me to ask how I was doing.  He knew that my heart was still sad from having to say goodbye to our dog Shady, that my summer break was coming to an end and that I had a more demanding schedule over the next couple of weeks; he wanted to let me know he would be praying for me.  I told him it's been three weeks since Shady left us and there is still a deep sense of loss; I  miss my dog!
 
I have been thinking about why this loss has left me feeling so sad.  I know it is deeper than missing a dog that was such a joy and blessing to us.  I thought about the recent losses of some friends at Valley have experienced and then I began to think back over 25 years of pastoral ministry;  having to say goodbye to so many friends / family. Our lives are filled with losses.  Sometimes they come in waves; sometimes those losses can be overwhelming / all-consuming.  There can be a sense of deep sorrow, even hopelessness.  We wonder if we can make it through another day.
 
As I reflected on this reality I have had to cycle back to a truth that has sustained me in times of loss.  I have had to remind myself that God is a work, even in the hard things that come into our lives; that His kingdom will prevail.  And, in God’s kingdom loss does not get the last word.  The destructive nature of cancer / other illnesses does not get the last word; death / grave does not get the last word.  God gets the last word and the last word is one of great hope!
 
One day every loss will be redeemed, every wound will be healed and every tear will be dried.  What a day, what day that will be!  Until that day we have this incredible thing called hope, to which we cling.
 
J.I. Packer has written:  The death of hope has a killing effect on human minds and hearts. ‘While there’s life, there’s hope’ we say; but the deeper truth is that only while there is hope, is there life.   Take away hope, and life, with all it’s fascinating variety of opportunities and experiences, reduces to mere existence—uninteresting, un-gratifying, bleak, drab and repellent; a burden and a  pain.
 
The writer of Proverbs puts it this way:  Hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12)

The Bible says, Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  (Isaiah 40:31)
 
The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.  (Psalm 33:18)

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  (Psalm 33:20)

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.  (Psalm 147:11)

In this world we will endure trials, we will face losses but in Christ we have the sure promise that one day hope will prevail.  We are never without hope!            
           
We have this hope which is a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.  (Hebrews 6:19)

And so, for me and or you, my friends at Valley, I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him
better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.  (Ephesians 1:17-18)