mary’s mission
Remembering Death Mary Arcement Alexander
“And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life each inhale and exhale, I choose to thank God daily for breath returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes12:7 every breath I have already had, and I choose to use each breath wisely and with intention. This really is a beautiful passage from the book of Ecclesiastes. I know I have probably heard this verse What does it mean to remember your death? I am dozens of times over the course of my life, but not not 100% sure of the answer, but here are my thoughts until now does it resonate with me. As I am writing on this question. I believe to remember our death this column, I am two weeks shy of my 50th birthday, means to remember that our life on earth is temporary. which means as you read this column; I am officially a Considering how fallen our present world is, I for one 50-year-old woman. Yikes! How did I get here so fast? am thanking God for this temporary life. Most recently, I am guessing many of you can relate to this question, I have had several of my Christian clients say to me, “I especially if you are over the age of 40. With that said, I sure do hope this is the end of times. I am ready for am actually excited about this new decade of life. I am Jesus!” Perhaps some of you are nodding your heads so grateful God has not only allowed me to see 50, but in agreement. Whether you are ready for the second He has also blessed me with a healthy body and a healthy coming or not, I sincerely pray, my brothers and sisters mind. I take for granted none of it. Another thought in Christ, that you are excited about spending eternal life has begun to take life: I am now half way through my with our Lord in heaven. I know I am. life (that is, if I live to be 100). But let me be honest, I am technically more than half way through my life; a So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen sobering yet inspiring thought for me. is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18 As a Christian, I have never feared dying. However, I have had anxiety about how I will die. Death itself is As we quickly approach All Souls Day on November not morbid nor difficult for me to talk about. One gift 2nd, let us remember those who have already gone before about being a counselor is that I can talk about almost us. Let us remember both their life and their death. Let anything with little to no discomfort. We all know that us remember to pray for their souls to reach heaven soon. life guarantees only two things: death and taxes. From Let us remember to thank God for the years we were able the moment we are born, we are dying. For some of you, to spend with our loved ones prior to their death. Let us this thought brings about sadness. If you are the one I remember our death as well as how it may be necessary am speaking of, I encourage you to revisit Ecclesiastes to die unto ourselves during our earthly life, so we can 12:7, specifically “…the life breath returns to God.” The fully rejoice in heaven with Jesus in our eternal life. imagery of these words is both beautiful and calming. God created each one of us with a set number of breaths Mary Arecement Alexander is a Licensed Professional Counselor that begins as we exit our mother’s womb. Our final with a private practice in Shreveport, LA. breath, of course, is unknown. Instead of worrying about when this last breath will occur, I choose to embrace
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