The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

There are some people who really know how to love. They love not only their own families with an immeasurable love, but they love others as well with great patience and forgiveness. They pray daily for them, calling them often to give encouragement, always wanting the best for them.

The best we can give this Christmas is the gift of love that is given freely, lavishly and consistently. Make your parents proud of you by your life of love and faith, and whether they are deceased or not, you will have done their memory a great service.

My older sister, Mizpah, was one such person who called over 60 persons through the week to check up on them and tell them that she loved them. She died last month at 88 years of age.

It is a good thing when employees on the job are able to talk about their love for people in the workplace. Sometimes it needs to be the tougher love of an effective supervisor, or it may be the compassionate love of persons in human resources. What a blessing it is to work with people who know how to love in appropriately professional ways.

We will not all be blessed with a long and healthy life. Some families have a history of longevity with sharp faculties to go along with it. From the newborn to the most senior citizen, we all have our own race to run. In the end it is not so much the distance we run as the direction. We have to stay on course, running with integrity, without tripping others around us.

We cannot afford to waste time, as it is precious. Are we investing in time with family? Are we paying attention to our parents, spouses and children? Are we distracted by the cell phone, television or the internet? Are we addressing physical, spiritual and emotional needs? What kind of family life are you enjoying?

Get counselling if you are dealing with any of the following spirits:

1. The spirit of incest

2. The spirit of alcoholism or drug addiction

3. The spirit of domestic violence

4. The spirit of illegal activity

5. The spirit of immoral behaviour

6. Any demonic spirit of any kind

Break the chains that bind you right here and right now. Pray and ask God for wisdom and godly counsel. Get your house in order leaving the best possible memories behind.

The best way to run this race is to run it with God. Have God out in front like the leader in a marathon, setting the pace and choosing the direction:

1. God is our strength

2. God is our peace

3. God is our anchor

4. God is our rock

5. God is our refuge

Jesus is our saviour, redeemer and lord. The Holy Spirit is our sustainer, comforter and counsellor, constant companion, and the one who makes us holy. Where would we be without God?

When you are on your death bed where do you want God to be? When you are in ICU for days and cannot talk because of the tubes, what do you need to know about the presence of God? If your child were to die, how would you make it if not for the grace of God? When every conceivable storm wind that can blow, when everyone assaults you on every side, how are you going to survive?

We do not know the day nor the hour when we will die, or at what age or time. We do not know if we will die peacefully in our sleep, or in an accident. We do not know any of this, but what we do know is that our God will be with us when the time comes.