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Death Bed Wishes by Kenny Marrs
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A few weeks ago Jim "Catfish" Hunter passed away. Any baseball fan will readily recognize the name of this Hall of Fame pitcher. Mr. Hunter was in his early 50's and died of ALS or "Lou Gehrig's disease." What was particularly important to me was not just his athletic record, but what he said shortly before he died. Knowing that he wouldn't live much longer, he said he would trade all of his fame and fortune from baseball for an anonymous, average life where he could see his only grandchild (a boy) grow up. "Catfish" Hunter was proud of his grandson (as any grandfather would be). A few years ago at a "old-timers" game at Yankee Stadium, "Catfish" was to throw out the first ball. The disease had already ravaged his arms to the point of uselessness, so he stood out on the mound next to his young grandson who threw out the ball. The real tragedy here is not just that he died a relatively young man, or that he'll never see his grandchildren grow up, but that others will not learn a lesson here. In an age where religion is ridiculed and God Himself is maligned, people need to stop and think about the source of real happiness. King Solomon spent much time and resource to find this happiness. Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon concludes that there is nothing better in this life than to eat, drink, enjoy the fruit of our labor, and live joyfully with our family for this is the gift of God (2:24; 3:12,13,22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:9). The world can give fame and fortune, but who can give genuine love and the days of life to enjoy it? Note that many critics do not deny the existence of God….just His goodness. People who face a life-threatening illness, lose a child or contemplate famine and war, are sometimes quick to indict heaven. This first happened in the garden of Eden. Satan convinced Eve that God didn't want man to enjoy all of life (…not eat of every tree in the garden? Gen. 3:1). The devil didn't deny the existence of God….just His goodness. The beauty and blessedness of this life is put into sharper focus when we witness a shortened life, however accomplished it may be, that longs for the simple blessings of a warm and loving family. Where do these things come from? "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor
from the Lord." "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." Proverbs 19:14 "Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them…" Psalm 127:3-5 In the end, what did "Catfish" Hunter want? He wanted what only God could give. |
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