This is us is back on tv. Its a show about a family of triplets – yes it is a LONG story. But in this week’s episode, Randall, who is the voice of morality, the voice of his father (both of them) the voice of vision, spoke to a pastor in a diner.
The pastor said this – “I give a lot of deathbed advice.” And then he said, (ok I didn’t take it all down word for word), “when you make a hard decision, think about you, old and gray, laying with a pink nursing home blanket over you. Think about what you did in your life that makes you smile. That makes your dad proud.” Well, yes.
Imagine yourself lying in your bed in your twilight moments reflecting back on the life you led. Are you proud of the decisions you made? The things you prioritized? It’s good advice for anyone at any time, but especially in trying times with difficult decisions. Do we make the decisions that save face? The decisions that hurt the least people? How do we push through to make the right decision?
I know a lot of you have lived through the death of loved ones recently. Or through your own physical decline. I think we all could use a little deathbed advice.
In John’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 – 12, we read the story of Jesus at the wedding at Cana is short, and sweet. Jesus with his first miracle – making wine for guests at a wedding. But the family will be shamed if they run out of wine, and Mary knows this – Jesus knows this. He makes wine. The best wine. And he steps out of the picture. Then a wedding guest comes up to share his thoughts, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 
God keeps the best for last. Do you believe that? This getting older stuff is not for sissies, friends, but the last can be good. We have the wisdom of our decades of mistakes (!), the wisdom of our parents and loved ones who have gone before, the love of God, and so much more. Let’s get out of our own way, and start making some history, instead of worrking about making mistakes. The life we have on this planet is short, and the gift of life in heaven is sweet, I know. But let’s make some memories and some choices that bless the world, that create that smile across our faces as we pull that thin pink blanket up at the nursing home, ok?
bless you all – Pastor P