Death and taxes...

There are two things that are most definitely certain to take place and affect all of us at some point in our lives... death and taxes. I know you've heard that old cliche at least once in your lifetime, however, allow me to elaborate some and share these thoughts:

No matter where we are in life, everything in our own personal world seems to stop when confronted by these two, and yet life cannot wait and goes on without us.

For example, I came home today to find that one of our dogs -- which has been in the family for at least 15 years -- had passed away. There wasn't any indication to me that she was sick -- except for old age -- so it was a little surprising. I had my day all planned out; take my daughter with me in the morning while I ran some errands and then come home and work as many hours as I could to make up for the hours I missed last week. There's nothing like a death notice to shock you back to reality and make you realize that even the best laid plans are always subject to change.

It was just Saturday that "Goober", as we lovingly called her, walked down to the mailbox with my daughter and me as we retrieved the mail. Yesterday afternoon, I took Amaya (my daughter) for a walk in the woods. We played in the leaves, she dug in the dirt with a stick and we visited the neighboring cows and calves. About halfway through our time outdoors I began to wonder where Goober was -- she always joins us for these kinds of adventures. Today, I got my answer.

As I am writing this, I am internally making plans to lay to rest our beloved Goober in our "pet cemetery" (we have had a few pets die over the years and there is a special place for them out back). On a side note, as I type this my baby boy who was resting peacefully propped up on my chest is now stirring and wanting his mommy to feed him -- life does go on. There is still work to be done and children to feed and taxes to complete -- don't wait for me!

With all of this transpiring, I can't help but think of the "after" effect. What happens when all of this is done away with -- when my time comes and death finds me. They say that death and taxes are certain, but I have another thought, one that, I believe, is probably the most important certainty of all: death comes to us all once and then ETERNITY. There is no doubt about it, we will spend eternity somewhere -- be certain about your choice!

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 13:19 (NIV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29 (NIV)