[ http://JesusChristIsTheTruth.YolaSite.com, “DEATH & DYING” ]
A BOOK REVIEW INSPIRED BY
A SEVERE MERCY
& MY THOUGHTS ON:
THE JOURNEY OF DYING & DEATH
BY JOHN, 3/7/11
The first chapter is better read last, because it talks about a beloved home & countryside, but I didn’t care about it yet. Then it gets into life in England & Oxford University & that’s a little interesting. I would call this time, “Life with fellow students & no TV”. Then I would say, “I Wrote Letters To C.S. Lewis And He Wrote Back!!”—Chapter 2, in my better book. Then I would call the next chapter, “Jesus Called, But I Resisted”. Then, “I Accepted Jesus, But Still Resisted”. Then my chapter 5 would be, “My Girlfriend’s A Saint, But I’m a Poor Christian”. Next, “I Walked My Be-loved Through The Valley of Death, & Lived To Write About It”. Then, “Conclusion”.
I’m being a bit silly & irreverent about this stirring watery elixir of life. This author presents the most difficult questions of all with stories, poems & letters from C.S. Lewis. He gives comfort and also an outlet for grief. My mother’s is old with progressing dementia. My sister is fighting, an overwhelming battle with cancer. I’m also getting old. This book can make you cry.
I’d rather cry over my books & movies than, cry in front of those who struggle so bravely. Don’t get me wrong, you should let loved ones see your tears for them, so they know you grieve with them & for them. At least once or twice-just not all the time-speak words of understanding & charity. Tell them of your dreams & hopes for their miracle. If five stars would mean: wrenching sobs, than this book is a 3 or maybe four. I often ask myself, “What is the best way to live a Christian life in the 21st Century?”
This book described a very practical & joyful life style. The honest emotions, thoughts & behaviors of Mr. Vanauken are very courageous & also very welcome. Luckily, he was a very moral person otherwise the story could have degraded into a spectacle of sin. The testimony or story of our Christian beginnings & later growth demands such well spoken confessions. We must present Christianity as a real journey not a mythical epic or self-promotion that no could believe or relate to. Here we have pagan life & pagan love contrasted with Christian life & Christian love. Which one, will you chose? Either way, it won’t be easy, but the path of Jesus leads to peace with God.
A SEVERE MERCY,(INCLUDES 18 PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED LETTERS BY C.S. LEWIS, A REAL-LIFE LOVE STORY, FULL OF WONDER AND HOPE, Copyright © 1977 by Sheldon Vanauken, A Bantam Book/ published with Harper & Rowe, Publishers, Inc.
THE JOURNEY OF DYING & DEATH
Dear Family Member, Friend, Church Member, Hospital, Nursing Home & Hospice Patient,
I know you are feeling a lot of anger, confusion & you’re holding on to hope. I’ve been listening but, not enough. I don’t know what stage of life or death…how long you will live and when you will die. I don’t know what treatment would be best & that gives me a little comfort…What if I knew, but you didn’t believe me or couldn’t follow the advice? I’d feel that it was my fault because I couldn’t convince you. Then I’d be afraid to talk or miss speak & I’d avoid you.
It’s all between you & God. ANGER, DENIAL, BARGAINING, ACCEPTANCE, and then the cycle repeats with the stages out of order or in a same order. Life is sad. Dying is sadder. That book I’m still reading, “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken describes his wife, soul mate, friend & lover dying in her thirties. She wants to die & see God & Heaven & yet…she wants a miracle from God. Almost to the end of life we want to live & be young again. Death is frightening & the fear of the unknown is a bit terrifying.
It’s hard to lose one’s job, for example, when you have nothing else lined-up to replace it. You think that no one would hire you again. There is a job & a life waiting for us after death, but we leap into it: peacefully or in fear. It’s our choice. Faith or Fear. Emotions must be mastered. Our former Naturopath, Mr. Hyder, told me never to make big decisions when I was in negative emotions: fear, anger, depression, jealousy, etc., but only when in love, trusting in God & letting peace caress you.
To live in the negative is to burn in the fires of the hell we’ve created. You & I, we, must create Heaven on earth, in our hearts & minds & then death won’t be as haunting. It is something to look forward to--the pure life. Yet, at the same time we don’t want to let go & that’s normal. Even with cancer (heart disease, hip fractures, physical injuries, brain diseases, etc.) I hope you find heavenly thoughts, acceptance of your mortality & lack of control over your life as freeing. Normal is having some control, but not complete control. Today—find joy in it. Tomorrow—find joy in it…letting go & trusting in God is: it.
…to be continued.
