Blue Heart

Since Dave’s passing, I have prayed and searched for peace with the decision I made that dreadful day. The decision to remove life support was agonizingly difficult. I have found that Christians, although not innately in opposition, equally share Dave’s view or my view today. Being puzzled at the differences, I began to study the Word of God and to seek council from those of good repute. During that time, I stumbled upon a book written by Reverend Billy Graham titled Death and the Life After where he clarified this topic of the right to die. He declared “Somehow we have confused the right to die with the subject of euthanasia (the deliberate killing of those who are suffering). They are not the same thing. The ‘right to die’ is defined as the individual’s right to determine whether unusual or ‘heroic’ measures should be taken—normally involving expensive and mechanical means of life support—to prolong life in cases where death is almost certainly inevitable. Life is sacred and given to us by God; for that reason we must never condone the deliberate, unnatural taking of life. This is a major reason most Christians who take the Bible seriously oppose abortion and euthanasia. At the same time, allowing the natural process of death to run its course is not necessarily wrong, when life can only be sustained by extreme medical measures. There is a difference between the prolongation of life and the postponement of death” (p. 84). The prolongation of life and the postponement of death were the catalyst by which opposing views seem to stem. Continuing my research, I found that Pope John Paul II addressed the same topic, approved it in the Declaration on Euthanasia, and adopted it at the ordinary meeting of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on May 5, 1980 which stated “When inevitable death is imminent in spite of the means used, it is permitted in conscience to take the decision to refuse forms of treatment that would only secure a precarious and burdensome prolongation of life…” The declaration concluded with these clear and comforting words: “Life is a gift of God, and on the other hand death is unavoidable; it is necessary, therefore, that we, without in any way hastening the hour of death, should be able to accept it with full responsibility and dignity. It is true that death marks the end of our earthly existence, but at the same time it opens the door to immortal life. Therefore, all must prepare themselves for this event in the light of human values, and Christians even more so in the light of faith. As for those who work in the medical profession, they ought to neglect no means of making all their skill available to the sick and dying; but they should also remember how much more necessary it is to provide them with the comfort of boundless kindness and heartfelt charity. Such service to people is also service to Christ the Lord, who said: ‘As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’” (Mt. 25:40). By God’s grace and perfect timing, He prepared me to approach Dave’s passing. Often I am reminded that God has done innumerous wonders, some I may come to know—others I may not. The night before Dave had the fatal ruptured brain aneurysm, God displayed His gracious and wonderous love. I testify in full confidence of God’s love and mercy. “Many, O LORD, my God are the wonders which you have done, and your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count” (Psalm 40:5). God gave me comfort through the studying of His word and the seeking of council. Submission was rewarded with a peace from God.