Saturday, October 9, 2010

Spiritual Sunday "Death and Dying"

These  awesome Spiritual Sundays are hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. To join in post and add your name at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ 

 Dying is something we human beings do continuously, not just at the end of our physical lives on this earth. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

While hiking in the woods.....watching the leaves fall...I thought about dying. Why do leaves have to fall and die....

It made me think about the woman I spoke to yesterday. She read my story and wanted to tell me hers. She had lost everything... home, family, dreams. Although she's older than me.....and her story is very different than mine...there was an immediate bond....and an understanding. I felt sad hearing how everything in her world had been taken.....yet clearly she had a strength and  a great laugh. She said the same about me. 

I had seen a picture of her. She is well known. I was intimated before talking to her....but I learned you can't tell by looking at someone who they really are and what they're all about....a reminder to me....to be gentle...to be kind...b/c many people are fighting some kind of battle. 

Thinking about the falling leaves and that woman and dying - I wonder if letting go, 'falling' is what makes us really free. The leaves....the woman....were beautiful. They gave me a feeling of being alive in ways that pushed me to want to live my best life even more. 

Reading the battles you guys fight...your courage to push back.. your strength to never give up....your trust that He has a greater purpose in the losses....makes me want to do the same....

That woman  - she's using her life to make a difference for others....something beautiful came out of her losses, her 'dying.' I'm glad I have Him in my life....b/c so often I have no idea what to do...I pray for all of us...that He'll be our eyes....

.....and watch us where we go...and help us to be wise....in times when we don't know....



33 comments:

Shirley said...

Thank you for visiting and the kind words. I only read a little of your blog (will definitely read more later) and was amazed at how God has and is working in your life. What a story of restoration. No, we can't tell by appearances what has happened in a persons life, but one thing for sure, everyone has "warts" as the old saying goes. We all have things to live with because we live in a sin filled world. Thank God for sending His Son, that we might have life and have it more abundantly" Have a wonderful blessed day!

Nana Jul said...

What a fabulous lesson!! Thank you sharing what you've learned and for praying for all of us, who are in one way or another dying to self...yet living for Him! He is our eyes, and ears, and by the Holy spirit, lets us know which way to go...and what to do. O Praise God he sees each one of us!! And changes us to become more like him.
You are like Him!
Love,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Glory to God! He love us so, and we can 'die' to worldly things that would keep us from Him.
Thank you for sharing this story. I will look at falling leaves a little differently now.

Susy said...

Blessings Sarah. Your post prompted me to look up a scripture, John 12:24. It's the best biblical explanation of why things must die, including our "old nature". I don't think we will ever reconciled to death, though, because eternity has been written in our hearts and we were not originally designed to die. Thank the lord He has come that we might live, and more abundantly. xo

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Beautiful, Sarah. Last spring I saw a leaf that had hung on for dear life all through the long, cold winter and was finally surrounded by the new green leaves--sometimes we just don't want to let go--but all is beautiful when we do. Thank you.....

Ruth said...

Dear Sweet Sarah, thank you for this inspiring post. Thank you also for visiting me and leaving sweet comments and for joining me in prayers for the Children.

Have a blessed weekend!!
Love,
Ruth

Joan Hall said...

My husband and I were just discussing the brevity of life and how we need to live each day to the fullest.

Thanks for a heart-felt post.

Bernie said...

Sarah, this is a very powerful yet thoughtful post. I think everyone has a story and that is okay but not everyone has Faith and that is not okay.......:-) Hugs

Lisa notes... said...

There is so much truth in your words here, Sarah. Because both my parents have died this year, I have meditated much on death and its meaning, and life and its meaning. I'm thankful that Jesus is faithful to cross us over from death to life. Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts here.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Leaves are never more beautiful than when they are dying. Our sorrows help us to empathize with and feel for others...to be gentle with them and want to help them. Everyone puts on a good face, but I daresay we'd be shocked if we knew about the burdens that some carry. That song is the tune to "The Prayer". but they put different words to it. Georgous.

Sue said...

This is so good Sarah,
I am always amazed at how God places people together at a specific time and place. It seems that you both are making such an impact on other lives, what a blessing! May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek and do His will for your life.
Great analogy of the leaves falling.

I was so blessed by the music , and to be able to sit and read the lyrics was even more special.
Blessings, Sue

A Dagenham Girl said...

Thank you for your post and I love the video, take care, Judith (Judith's Poetry Corner)

Cindy Adkins said...

Blessings to you, Sarah! You are such an inspiration--and touching lives everywhere!!!
Love,
Cindy

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Sarah, I always look forward to your post because it always blesses me! Right now I feel like I am 'dying' but I know that the Lord has a purpose in all that is going on in my life right now. I have to believe that He will bring something beautiful out of it. Just as He has in your life, my prayer is that I will shine with the light of Christ and be able to minister to others once I make it through to the end of the tunnel. Thanks for sharing and be a blessing.

Hugs,
Sandi

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

...being a blessing, I meant to say.

Anonymous said...

We do fight dying in our nature, but like so many have commented, it is a beautiful transition.

Cathy said...

Thanks for those beautiful thoughts, Dear. That is a lovely prayer too. Blessings ~

Carolyn said...

Sarah, this is beautiful!! You are such a treasure, as I always love your posts!!

God Bless YOU! Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Just Be Real said...

Sarah thank you for sharing such a lovely piece here. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Sarah,
Thank you for your words of encouragement and inspiration. He is our strength, and He uses others to strengthen us. Thanks for being used by Him.
Blessings!!!

Mevely317 said...

I read these words yesterday ... but needed to ponder a while.
Heretofore, I've shunned cut floral arrangements because I'm reminded of funerals ... their inevitable decay was too hurtful to witness. (Yes, I'm weird that way :))
But then ... how it is that the Fall season, the leaves turning, just lifts me up?
I'm going to focus on your perspective: "'falling' is what makes us really free." - wow.
(Sorry for being so long-winded!)
God bless you, Sarah!

Jocelyn said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. To everything there is a season. We just always think that the season we are in is what will be forever. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I always enjoy meeting new friends.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Finding Pam said...

Sarah, it is good when another person inspires us to go on despite our own frailties. I am always inspired when I hear someone elses stories and how they have overcome it.

Loved the song.
Blessings to you.

Donnie said...

The majority of young have not learned what some of the old have. That in order to live we must die a little each day. We must try to give the Lord the power to change us for His will. Thank you for a lovely post.

Anonymous said...

This leaf theory is so true! I'm giving my troubles to God and I'm giving Him my faith, my loyalty, my trust, my friendship.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how God brings people into our lives to bless us and we in turn bless them. I have been so blessed by meeting all the people who join us on Spiritual Sundays. I am always blessed by what you share.
Have a wonderful week.
Charlotte

NanE said...

Hi Sarah, this is one of my fav songs and I had not heard it in months! Thanks for sharing, blessings, Nan

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Thanks for sharing this post.It was so uplifting.
Yes, God uses what we see as our loses. Annette

Musings of A Minister said...

Another great post. And I love this video and music. Thank you. Have a great week.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I love how the Lord places someone in our life's when we need it the most. Thank-you for your prayers. I too pray for everyone on S.S.
God Bless,
Ginger

Dee said...

It is true that we all have struggles and that when we reach out to others and share as you do on your blog a healing begins. :)

Denise said...

Beautiful lesson my dear friend, love you.

Merana Leigh said...

You touch me with your messages, sweet Sarah! I think of the falling leaves not as death, but as that which must happen for the new life to emerge that awaits the spring...rather like we have to die to self in order for Him to come live in us a new life emerging. Thank you for this touching post!