| God's Perfect Timing © Betty Sue Eaton |
| A Christian Grief Ministry |
Today began like any other first Wednesday of each month: Get ready to go out to the
nursing and rehabilitation home to help conduct a game of Bunco for the residents as a
social outlet. I know it is a popular event because we began about four months ago with
barely enough participation for one four-member table. Now we are up to five and the
staff has asked us if we can come out more than once a month! I and four more ladies
from our church enjoy the camaraderie and laughter of the residents and at the end of
each game day, we allow them to select a gift from several baskets of small treats as
prizes to reward them for winning the most games of having the most Buncos! Last
month, we ran out of treats and the home staff came up with enough small stuffed
animals to make up the difference to our great delight.
However, today when I arrived at the home, there were no residents in the recreation
room and no other members of our team in evidence. After waiting for fifteen minutes with
the time to begin passing, I thought to look at the "Events" chalkboard posted on the wall.
To my surprise I read "Cancelled" written across the Bunco space.
At first I was annoyed that no one had called and informed me of the cancellation, and
then my mind sorted through reasons why it could have happened: My leader had been
called out of town suddenly with no time to alert me. Or perhaps she had been in an
accident and was in the hospital or worse! The only thing to do was take my wounded
pride and go back home to find out what really had happened.
On my way out, one of the administrative staff encountered me and asked if I was visiting
someone there. After sorting out reasons for my presence, she asked if I would be a
witness for them. It seems there was a need for a witness signature on a "Do Not
Resuscitate" paper for someone related to one of the residents. I agreed and followed
her to the office where I found two men, their eyes red as though they had been weeping.
I commented that obviously theirs was not a happy task nor an easy one.
We spoke of similar experiences and their stating that there was never a time or reason
to let a loved one go, but that their mother had lived a long and productive life and it was
time for her. I shared my experiences with death and assured them that we are never in
charge of life and death, only God is, and the timing is His alone.
My dear grieving friend, if you have lost someone you love and wished to change the
outcome of their life, just know this: God's timing is perfect for His purposes.
I know very well that young or old, when our time according to God's clock is spent, He
will take us home to be with Him in Paradise. We have no say in the matter. Each of us is
born with a plan for our lives here on earth, and when God determines that purpose has
been fulfilled, our time here will end. It is never easy saying goodbye, to never see our
loved ones again here, but they are just a breath away waiting for us to join them with our
heavenly Father where there is no death, no suffering, no disappointments, no anger,
and no sadness ~ ever.
Many times I have began an undertaking with my usual high spirits only to have it change
abruptly before completion only to find that God had other purposes for my on that
particular day, as today. I could not conduct Bunco, but I could witness to two grieving
sons at the approaching death of their mother, and I could bear testimony that they had
taken every opportunity, done everything they could to change that eventuality. But now
they must acknowledge it was time to let go and let God do His ultimate work
My prayers for them was to thank God that He was taking her out of her pain and
sickness to a much happier place for all eternity, and where they will meet her in days
and years to come.
God's timing is always perfect. He is always merciful and just. He is always there to
comfort us when He finally says to one of His own, "Well done, my good and faithful
servant. Welcome home."
May you find that perfect peace that knows no end as God has promised. ~ Betty
nursing and rehabilitation home to help conduct a game of Bunco for the residents as a
social outlet. I know it is a popular event because we began about four months ago with
barely enough participation for one four-member table. Now we are up to five and the
staff has asked us if we can come out more than once a month! I and four more ladies
from our church enjoy the camaraderie and laughter of the residents and at the end of
each game day, we allow them to select a gift from several baskets of small treats as
prizes to reward them for winning the most games of having the most Buncos! Last
month, we ran out of treats and the home staff came up with enough small stuffed
animals to make up the difference to our great delight.
However, today when I arrived at the home, there were no residents in the recreation
room and no other members of our team in evidence. After waiting for fifteen minutes with
the time to begin passing, I thought to look at the "Events" chalkboard posted on the wall.
To my surprise I read "Cancelled" written across the Bunco space.
At first I was annoyed that no one had called and informed me of the cancellation, and
then my mind sorted through reasons why it could have happened: My leader had been
called out of town suddenly with no time to alert me. Or perhaps she had been in an
accident and was in the hospital or worse! The only thing to do was take my wounded
pride and go back home to find out what really had happened.
On my way out, one of the administrative staff encountered me and asked if I was visiting
someone there. After sorting out reasons for my presence, she asked if I would be a
witness for them. It seems there was a need for a witness signature on a "Do Not
Resuscitate" paper for someone related to one of the residents. I agreed and followed
her to the office where I found two men, their eyes red as though they had been weeping.
I commented that obviously theirs was not a happy task nor an easy one.
We spoke of similar experiences and their stating that there was never a time or reason
to let a loved one go, but that their mother had lived a long and productive life and it was
time for her. I shared my experiences with death and assured them that we are never in
charge of life and death, only God is, and the timing is His alone.
My dear grieving friend, if you have lost someone you love and wished to change the
outcome of their life, just know this: God's timing is perfect for His purposes.
I know very well that young or old, when our time according to God's clock is spent, He
will take us home to be with Him in Paradise. We have no say in the matter. Each of us is
born with a plan for our lives here on earth, and when God determines that purpose has
been fulfilled, our time here will end. It is never easy saying goodbye, to never see our
loved ones again here, but they are just a breath away waiting for us to join them with our
heavenly Father where there is no death, no suffering, no disappointments, no anger,
and no sadness ~ ever.
Many times I have began an undertaking with my usual high spirits only to have it change
abruptly before completion only to find that God had other purposes for my on that
particular day, as today. I could not conduct Bunco, but I could witness to two grieving
sons at the approaching death of their mother, and I could bear testimony that they had
taken every opportunity, done everything they could to change that eventuality. But now
they must acknowledge it was time to let go and let God do His ultimate work
My prayers for them was to thank God that He was taking her out of her pain and
sickness to a much happier place for all eternity, and where they will meet her in days
and years to come.
God's timing is always perfect. He is always merciful and just. He is always there to
comfort us when He finally says to one of His own, "Well done, my good and faithful
servant. Welcome home."
May you find that perfect peace that knows no end as God has promised. ~ Betty
Life After Loss |