I had not intended to write this lesson just yet, but I believe it to be important, and while it is still fresh in my mind, a warning to those who may die out of Christ.

“For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”
II Corinthians 6:2

“Life’s tragedy is we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~ Ben Franklin

My mother-in-law was placed in Hospice Monday afternoon. She is almost 98. A non-Christian. I suppose this happens to some, perhaps more than I know. Several times in her life she was asked to have a Bible study. She refused, and would grow angry if you pressed the matter. It’s strange how memories return at time like this. But I suppose it is the finality of it. She outlived two husbands and two sons. Only one son was a faithful member of the Lord’s church, and he was my husband. Over the last day or so I became angry, and I could not understand until this morning why I felt that way…..and then it came to me. I was angry because all of this was so unnecessary, but the choices were hers. I had wise counsel regarding this. She lived many years, more than most, for she is almost 98. She did as she chose with those years. ….and now she is coming to her final days on this earth without hope, peace, joy. An eternity without Him. A few short years on earth, and eternity stretches out before her, and never ends.

“I suspect some not only don’t like how something is said, they don’t like what has been said, and likely would not accept it regardless of how it could be said.”

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

Why, the eternal why? This didn’t have to happen. She could have lived a very successful and happy life of hearing and learning the Gospel and becoming a faithful member of His church and lived out the rest of her life in peace. Instead, from details I am receiving from Hospice. It is anything but a peaceful death. It troubles me even yet, and the thought I can do nothing about it is worse. Even as I write these words the anger is stirred again. This didn’t have to happen…and don’t let it happen to you.

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalms 90:10

At some point we are going to die. It is a fact. We think of death in the far away future, but it is just a heartbeat away. Ignoring the Gospel plan of salvation is placing our souls in danger. Sometimes we live as though life will never end, but how many do you know in your life who died unexpectedly, earlier than one would expect, accidents or illness? It happens every day. We tell ourselves many lies, or rather Satan tells us, we have more time. Can you prove you have more time? Of course not.

“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:31

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: . . .” Hebrews 9:27

My husband’s brother did the same. He too was offered the Gospel, but the world called, and he answered. A clean bill of health in the hospital one day, and in less than 24 hours, he was dead. 24 hours earlier he was thrilled to be out of the hospital and resume life as normal. ….and while on the table to remove his leg, he requested our son do the funeral….and he did. A non-Christian funeral.

“Words. How little they mean when you’re a little too late.” ~ Swift

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: II Thessalonians 1:8

“Don’t say, “There’s still time.” or “Maybe next time.” Because there’s also the concept of “It’s too late.”

My mother-in-law has not passed on yet, and she continues to fight for a physical life that is ending. I wonder what runs through her mind. . . . would she be more receptive of the Gospel? She is beyond reach. I am her sole care giver. I expect she never dreamed I would be taking care of her in her latter years. . . . . but I have since the day my husband died. How strange, the woman who desired to teach her the Gospel, would one day be caring for her every need. . . . . .and one of the more important needs for the rest of her life and beyond, went unheeded then………and it is why I became angry and sad at the same time. Conflicting emotions. . . . .and I wait. . . .

“The saddest summary of life is just five words long. “Could have and should have.” ~ Unknown

Eileen Light