You are not your own

Lately, I've been reminded of how life is a gift - in both an earthly and eternal sense. Whew, I've seen a lot of death lately and it's a very difficult part of my job. Yesterday, I walked into the room of a patient who didn't make it (not one of my patients). Monday, I was confronted with the news that one patient who every nurse couldn't help but love had passed. A week ago, I went to a memorial service for a patient. It hit me pretty hard because it was the first patient who I had actually known face-to-face, even though I wasn't close to him. I had been in the room with him and his family during his transplant. He was quite young, had just gotten married a few months ago, and was a dedicated follower of Christ. The service was definitely a time to mourn over the loss and suffering he had to endure, but also a time to honor God and the life of this person. They did a good job of explaining his death as a "passing on" rather than a "passing away." Praise God for that. It was inspiring for me to hear about how he seized and appreciated just about every moment of life. How often do I take my health, blessings, and simply my state of being completely for granted? The times would be too numerous to count. These patients are teaching me so much about perspective, even in their passing.

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
-1 Cor. 6:19-20