Let me begin by apologizing for being out of the loop for a few weeks. My wife and I have both been dealing with some health issues, and I have gotten a little behind on things.

That being said, I would like to share some very personal thoughts with you in this blog. Let me begin by sharing with you some of the events of the past few months. About four months ago I started having episodes of dizziness which were accompanied by a fluttering heartbeat. These continued to worsen, and eventually became more severe to the point that I was blacking out. Hence a trip to the ER. After several tests they released me without determining anything wrong.

The episodes only worsened, until finally, on a Sunday morning as I was getting ready to head to church, I passed completely out. So, another trip to the ER. Another battery of tests, showing nothing of any concern. However, while the ER nurse was in my room, she noticed on the monitor that my heart was in an extremely strange rhythm, and immediately called for the ER doctor to come in for a review. They had already taken an EKG, but he immediately ordered another to check for any abnormalities. Nothing.

After a few more tests, I was once again released, with the order to wear a heart monitor seven days. After sending it back in for evaluation, I had to wait five weeks before getting an appointment with the cardiologist. He walked into the room, and his first words were, “You’ve got a serious problem! I’m amazed you haven’t already had a major incident because of your heart’s condition.” He then told me that he wanted me to go to the hospital immediately, and that he would implant a pacemaker the next day.

The pacemaker was implanted, and I was also put on a beta blocker – one to keep my heart rate from going too high, and the other to keep it from going too low. So far, this combination seems to be working well.

Now, to the personal thoughts and observations. I realize that there are multitudes of people who have much more serious health conditions than the ones I am dealing with right now. But to be honest, to hear a cardiologist say that he is amazed that I had not already had a serious coronary incident was rather shocking. I certainly knew something was not right, but I did not realize the seriousness of my condition.

I have always said that I believe death can come at any moment. The Bible says plainly that life is like a vapor – here one moment and gone the next. Intellectually, I embrace the truth of that statement. I have taught it, I have preached it, I have shared it in private conversations, I have spoken of it in times of striving to console those who have just lost a loved one to the stark reality of death.

But, when you are told by a heart specialist that he is amazed that you haven’t already experienced a major coronary incident, the reality of that Biblical truth becomes more real than ever before. And it causes us to think about things that, for the most part, we try to NOT think about. Specifically, our own impending appointment with death. In closing, let me share a few thoughts with you that I have been reviewing in light of these recent health issues.

First, I would encourage us to make sure we are prepared. The Bible teaches clearly the sobering reality that we will all die. Each one; everyone. No one will escape the tentacles of death except those who are alive at the time of Jesus’ return for His bride, the church. We must make sure that we are prepared for the moment we are called from this life.

And how are we to be prepared? By making sure that we are in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said it plainly: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We need to be prepared for our own impending death by submitting to the Lordship of Christ. He is our only source of eternal hope.

Second, in addition to being prepared, I would encourage us to make sure we are ready. The Bible teaches that Jesus could come at any moment, or that our death could occur at any time. We are to be ready to stand before the judgment seat of Christ by living lives that are worthy of His name. Jesus warned about living recklessly, giving no regard to the fact that He could appear at any moment. Be ready.

A third word of encouragement would be to strive to have no regrets. Sadly, I have sat with many individuals who are now faced with making funeral arrangements for a loved one, and all they can think about is the long list of regrets they have about their relationship with the one who is now deceased. We should all strive to live in such a way that we have no regrets when we are faced with losing a loved one, or, when we are faced with the reality of our own impending death.

Finally, I would suggest that we make sure the ones we love know that we love them. It’s a simple thing to say “I love you”. Say it. Over and over, say it. Every day, say it. Several times during the day, say it. I don’t think it could ever be said enough.

However, saying it needs to be backed up with our actions. Say it and show it. Make our love visible to those we say the words. I have made it a point to say those words to my wife at least once a day, every day. There may have been a few days out of the past 49 years that I did not speak those words, but it was never by intent. I want Teresa to hear me say it, and I want her to see me show it. I want to conclude conversations with my children by stating it clearly. Don’t take for granted that they know you love them. Let them hear the words.

Certain things happen in life that cause us to pause, evaluate, reassess, and perhaps correct. The events of the recent past have been just such a time for me. I hope and pray that these lessons will not soon be forgotten as I get back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And I pray that you, too, will reflect on these thoughts with the hope that we will all do a little better in being prepared, being ready, living with no regrets, and letting our love been seen and shared with those we love. Blessings!