Death and taxes

My sons and I had a rather somber meeting this week. I suggested to them that they need to think about the possibility of one or more of us meeting our ultimate and perhaps untimely demise. My wife and I both have wills but the boys do not. The meeting was thought provoking as it always is when someone seriously considers the possibility of their own death and how it might affect their loved ones.

When I was in my mid-thirties I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. My mother had recently died from one and so had my brother’s five year old son. I had been having severe headaches and two of my fingers had inexplicitly gone completely numb. An MRI revealed a large mass at the base of my brain and the neurologist told me that it was a brain tumor similar in nature to my mother’s and was undoubtedly malignant and inoperable due to its cyst-like nature. Further tests including a spinal tap whereby dye was injected into my system just further confirmed it.

I remember asking how long I had to live best case” and the callous answer was that he had a lady come in not long ago with similar conditions and she was dead in three days. He estimated that I could live no longer than six months. Some things that happen to you in life are never forgotten and I will never forget that doctor telling me that. Over the next several weeks as more tests came in with dark news, I went through a variety of emotions including fear, anger, depression, and finally acceptance. I was young with a wife and small children. I had a thriving business and my life which appeared to be so promising suddenly and cruelly was in a sharp downward fall.

They transferred me to a cancer clinic at Emory and the chief radiologist called me one day with an urgent message. I returned his call and he told me that he had good news and that I did not have brain cancer and indeed it was harmless brain fluid that was showing up on the MRI. Apparently the other doctors had misinterpreted my tests. I have a rare condition whereby brain fluid accumulates in a pocket at the base of my brain. It is a rare condition whereby less than 5% of the people in the world have it, but it is entirely harmless. Imagine the feeling I had at that moment. There was not a dry eye in our home that night I tell you and believe me I was on my knees thanking God for the reprieve. Further tests revealed that my headaches and symptoms were caused by stress and muscle contractions in my neck caused by it were putting pressure on a nerve which caused the numbness in my fingers. Muscle-relaxers and some other medications resolved my problems.

I wish the news would have been as good for my brother’s son and my mother. Unfortunately death is as normal as birth and we need to prepare for it. The Bible states that we should think of our own death often. Why do you suppose God sent us that message? He indicates that compared to eternity our life is but a vapor, here for a moment and then we vanish from this earth. Yet most people live their lives as though it is the opposite. Facing your own death as I did will open your eyes, I guarantee it. God forbid you ever have to go through it, but in a way it was a good experience for me. It made me more clearly realize what is important in life and what is not. We all have an appointment with death; it is as inescapable as having to pay taxes.

When you die what will happen? Yes your family will grieve and hopefully you have insurance and a good will to take care of them without you. But what happens with your’ soul? Are you ready to face God today? Jesus Christ can take care of you in that department, just invite Him into your heart today and he will forgive your sins and prepare you for a life in paradise with Him. If you have put off your commitment to Christ like putting off writing a will, do it today. After you die it will be too late…think about it.

John 1:12
But as many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who
believe in His name.