Over the past few weeks, I have had to begin preparing for hernia surgery. Currently, many hospitals and surgery centers are requesting their patients to both have their affairs in order and to have a living will prepared. It was then that I was sobered to the seriousness and reality of my own mortality. I also began contemplating and writing my Last Will & Testament, thinking about my “stuff” and all of my loved ones to whom I was to leave it. After spending that time thinking on these things, I began thinking about my own passing and those I would leave behind. And honestly, I am not so much as afraid of death as I am concerned about the condition of my mortal body when I’m found!

Someone once said that we should “live each day as if it were our last”. I have been giving that a lot of thought lately. While I am not necessarily a fatalist, I am a realist about how we as humans have no guarantees about our health or how things will “turn out”. We are all at the mercy of a great, powerful but loving God.

This past week, I found myself pondering as to whether there were people in my life who I had hurt or had not forgiven. I wondered if I had the time to seek them out and make amends before my surgery on Wednesday. I sent one email to one, asking for their forgiveness.

As my surgery approaches, I have every confidence that all will be well, that my Living Will will not need to be consulted and I will return home and recover quickly. I love the Lord and He loves me, and I know that, no matter what happens, I will always be safe in His arms and care, here or There.