Death, in more ways than one

Today I visited my mom's grave site.  I haven't been here since winter of 2015.  I felt more at peace here than before. It made me think about what death is and why humans in general, are afraid of it. It's the end of something that once existed.

Death, of a loved one, can be devastating.  Death of love that once existed between husband and wife can be devastating.  Why is it that we evade it so much.  This is a mystery in itself.  Because it is one thing in life that is certain, whereas everything else is not.

You never can measure the love that your family or your friends have for you.  Or how much happiness money can bring you.  We all work hard in life for ideals and things we believe are success.

But since death is viewed as sadness, tragedy, and ending, what then, is the purpose of life.  I guess this is one of the questions philosophers have wrestled with since the beginning time.

We are in existence for a purpose, that I believe is sure.  We may not be able to see it with the naked eye, but it is the basic common belief of all living things.  Good...bad... pain...pleasure.  Animals have basic needs to be loved and comforted, as do humans.  Being alive means being in communion with other living beings.  Death is something we try to not to think about. Because one day, it will come.  We don't know when.  And death separates us from life...from togetherness.

How can die to self? I have been hearing this message in more ways than one this lenten period. Dying to self is putting our life, hope, fears and failures to the one who never dies - Father of creation. He is the beginning and the end.  He never dies, and he holds the secret to eternal life.

I've relied on myself to survive thus far.  Now it's time I die to self and rely on God the Father, so that I may die from old ways of thinking, from fear, from anything that separates me from His love. 

Lord take the helm.