A companion in life's journey

Read about Harold's path to peace as the end of life in this world drew near.

In the small, quaint town of Riverbend, nestled between rolling hills and the meandering streams that gave it its name, lived an elderly man named Harold. Harold was known for his sharp wit, his love for gardening, and a life well-lived, marked by both joy and sorrow. But as the years advanced into his late 80s, Harold found himself wrestling with thoughts of mortality, the legacy he would leave behind, and what awaited him after his time in this world ended.

Harold's wife, Elizabeth, had passed away several years prior, leaving him in a house filled with memories but also with a profound loneliness. His children, all grown and living their own lives in distant cities, visited when they could, but their visits, though cherished, were few and far between. The town was changing, with old friends moving on or passing, and the vibrant community he once knew seemed to have faded into a quieter, more solitary existence for him.

One autumn evening, as the sun cast long shadows over his garden, Harold sat in his favorite chair, his thoughts heavy. He had always been a man of faith, attending church out of tradition and community, but the concept of eternity had always seemed abstract, almost irrelevant to his daily life. However, now, faced with the reality of his own mortality, he felt a desperate need to understand what lay beyond.

It was during this time that Pastor Matthew, a young but wise clergyman new to the town, began visiting Harold regularly. Their conversations started with general topics, but soon delved into the deeper waters of faith, hope, and the afterlife. Pastor Matthew shared stories from the Bible, focusing not just on the commandments but on the promise of Jesus Christ: a life everlasting in His presence.

Harold listened, his skepticism softened by the pastor's gentle, earnest approach. He spoke of Jesus not only as a savior but as a companion in life's journey, someone who understood every human emotion, including fear of death.

One particular afternoon, as they sat in Harold's garden, the air crisp with the scent of fallen leaves, Pastor Matthew read the following from John 14:1-3.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

These words struck a chord in Harold's heart. The notion of a place prepared for him, not just a vague eternity but a home, began to dissolve his fears. Pastor Matthew explained further, "Jesus offers us peace, Harold. Not just in death, but in life. He's with us in every moment, and when our time comes, He's there to guide us home."

Slowly, Harold began to engage more deeply with his faith. He started reading the Bible himself, finding comfort in the Psalms and the Gospels. He attended church more frequently, not out of obligation, but seeking the fellowship and the spiritual nourishment it provided.

As winter approached and the town was blanketed in snow, Harold's perspective shifted. He no longer saw the end of life as a void but as a transition to another existence, one promised and prepared by Jesus. This belief didn't erase his sadness over leaving his earthly life, but it gave him a profound sense of peace. He began to see his remaining days as a gift, a time to reconcile, to love, and to prepare for his journey.

Harold made amends where he could, wrote letters to his children expressing his love and thoughts for their future, and even started a small project with Pastor Matthew to plant a new community garden, something that would live on after him.

On a clear, starlit night, with the town quiet under a fresh snowfall, Harold felt an immense calm. He realized that his belief in Jesus had reshaped his view of life and death. It was no longer an end but a beginning, a reunion with Elizabeth, and a new chapter in the presence of the divine.

When Harold's time came, he was found in his garden, a peaceful smile on his face, his Bible opened to the Book of John, a testament to his journey from fear to faith, from doubt to eternal hope. His story is a reminder of the comfort and peace that faith can bring, even in the face of life's greatest certainty.