New Beginnings from Old Endings by Brenda Terrell

    My mother’s physician called me today. She wanted to discuss the options for Mother’s treatment. Because of Alzheimer’s disease, the food Mother eats is being aspirated into her lungs, causing respiratory infections. The doctor explained that no matter what treatment is chosen, Mother’s health will not be significantly improved; her life will simply be prolonged. Is it right to prolong her life when she cannot communicate, does not know her own family, and is not able to walk or eat without help? Since I am her only child, the decision is mine to make. I pray for wisdom.

    Our youngest son called today. His first child is due the seventeenth of this month. Their doctor told them that Diane could possibly go into labor this week. Their baby will be our ninth grandchild. I can hardly wait to hold another precious new life in my arms.

    One life is fading away. One new life will begin. The cycle continues.

    I am sad because my mother will never know her newest great-grandchild. Yet Mother’s life will surely be an influence on this child. The memories we have of her dedication to and love for God and family; her eagerness to help others; her gentle spirit—all these have influenced me, my husband and our children, and will live on through us to influence her great-grandchildren. The life she lived will help mold and shape a new life.

    New beginnings from old endings. The concept is the same for our spiritual lives . The life Jesus lived helps to mold and shape our lives. He died so that we might have new life, abundant life. God raised Jesus from the grave and He lives, interceding for us at the Father’s throne. His resurrection provides us hope of life eternal. Yet, we must die to self; give up our own will and submit to God’s will. We must put off our old life and put on the new.

    Romans 6:4-11 states:

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

    New beginnings from old endings. This was God’s plan before time began.

NOTE: Loyce Lee Douglas died on January 17, 1999, in Austin, Texas. She was buried beside her husband in San Angelo, Texas, on January 20, 1999.

Audrey Lucretia Terrell was born on January 24, 1999, in Abilene, Texas, to our son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Diane Terrell.

HEARTLIGHT^® Magazine is a ministry of loving Christians and the Westover Hills church of Christ.
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Copyright © 1999, Brenda Terrell. Used by permission.
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