The Final Mercy

The Final Mercy

For some it comes quickly.
No warning
A heart attack
An accident
A gunshot
A tragedy.

Loved ones plunged into
Sudden grief
Unprepared and lost,
Seeking answers in the silence.

No goodbyes
No “I love you.”
No “I’m sorry.”
No “You mean so much to me.”

No second chances.
Words left unsaid
Deeds left undone
Lost opportunities
And promises broken.

For others, the road is long
And the journey hard.
Knowing that soon will come
The fourth quarter
The ninth inning
The final chapter.

Knowing there are no more time-outs.
The future no longer vast
But closing in.

Given time to spend on things that matter.
Saying goodbyes,
Whispering “I love you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You mean so much to me.”

Words spoken.
Deeds done.
Promises kept.
Providing for loved ones.

Time for thoughts on the hereafter.
God.
Eternity.

The long road a final mercy,
A last chance to prepare one’s soul
To meet God
While still we breathe,
Before the door closes forever,
Our decision unalterable.

For those who remain,
We have no certainty
Of which path is before us,
We only have now.

So let us go from here
And say the “I love you”
“I’m sorry.”
“You mean so much to me.”

Let us not leave undone
The deeds of kindness
Reconciliation
Words of love
The preparing of our souls
To meet God.

So when our time comes
We have no regrets.

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Lord, I Need You