Courtney’s blog on Euthanasia stirred this blog. I’ve had situations where I’ve had to have dogs put down because they were in so much pain and know the feelings it aroused in me. It’s a terrible feeling. I can’t imagine what it would feel like with a person. I was upset enough when our pup got hurt last week.
Years ago when my Mom was suffering with cancer I remember something on TV at the time about how a person took the situation into their own hands and helped their loved one die. Even though I don’t agree with euthanasia, I could understand how a person could arrive at that state.
I found it extremely difficult. There is nothing worse than watching someone you love in so much pain. It is something I have experienced a few times. It never gets any easier though. You feel so absolutely helpless as well as guilty for not being able to something.
Moral, legal and ethical issues aside, there were two reasons why euthanasia that was never an option. Firstly my mother fought every day, right up to the day she died, to stay alive. She battled that cancer the same way she battled the difficulties in her life. Though she was in almost constant pain towards the end, it never occurred to her to give up. It just wasn’t in her nature.
The second thing was, though she was a loving, generous person, my Mom was not a Christian. To be parted from her by death was bad enough but to be parted from her for eternity horrified me, John 3:16-18.
As I often find, God acted in His time, not mine. Mom did come to know the Lord. That made our parting easier because I know one day I will see her again. But as I’ve mentioned before, it still didn’t stop me being angry with God for a long time, because He didn’t work things out the way I wanted. The truth is I wanted my Mom to be healed. But God knew she needed another and lasting sort of healing.
I still don’t know why God chose to do things the way He did, although sometimes I do have a bit of an inkling, but I have to allow that He is God. The decision and the choice regarding life and death is always His.
Please visit these related blogs
Dealing with the Death of Parents
Man vs.Animal Double Standards – Euthanasia.
Rules and Ritual or Relationship?
How Can You Tell if You Are Really a Christian?
Is it Okay to be Angry with God?
Tell Them Before It’s Too Late