Quoting from my last PPP, ‘As I write this PPP at 5.20pm on Sunday, 29th November 2009, my wife, Betty, is very near to the end of her earthly journey.’ It is now 11.45am on Monday, 7th December 2009 and Betty is still with us! She has had no food since November 22nd (16 days) and is surviving on sips of water.

I thank God so very much that Betty is peaceful, comfortable and pain-free. I thank him also for Joanna, our daughter, who twenty years ago was a hospice nurse in UK and for her devoted team of carers. Many of these friends are retired nurses and since 22nd November, they have kindly taken shifts to be with Betty throughout each day and night. Also, a special ‘thank you’ to the doctors and nurses of Hospis Malaysia for their regular visits, care and concern and also their medical advice and supplies which God has used to keep Betty out of pain.

One of the main lessons that we have been learning during the past weeks is that we enter this world and leave it at the RIGHT TIME. This was certainly true of Jesus Christ. ‘But when the right time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.’ Galatians 4:4. Referring to his death, Jesus remarked, “I am with you for only a short time and then I go to the one who sent me.” John 7:33. But later he said to Andrew and Philip, his disciples, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” John 12:23. In his well-known prayer, given to us in John chapter 17, his opening words were “Father, the time has come…” John 17:1

Throughout his earthly ministry, the Jews made many attempts to capture and kill Jesus Christ. On at least two occasions, John, in his gospel, comments: “At this, they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come” John 7:30. “Jesus spoke these words in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because the time had not yet come.” John 8:20

The apostle Paul, when writing to Timothy, says ‘For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.’ 2 Timothy 4:6

When we are praying for our Christian relatives or friends who are coming to the end of their earthly journey, especially those who, unlike Betty, may be in great pain or disorientation, it is tempting to pray “Dear Lord, please take them home soon”. Might it not be wiser to ask the Lord, who knows what is best for all of us, to take our loved ones (including our dearest Betty) to be with him at the RIGHT TIME?

Admin Note: Betty Young passed away at 3.20pm on Tuesday, 8 December 2009. The initiators and co-workers at The Micah Mandate wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the Youngs. An eulogy to Betty Young by Goh Keat Peng can be read here.

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