Finding Peace in Faith

by Roberta Ness

A Christian Perspective

Come sit down and join me, sweetie. I've got your favorite mug ready—the one with the little chip that makes it not quite perfect and oh so precious. Today I want to talk about our family’s Christian friends who sat lovingly with us through the death of David—my husband, your dad—and grieved deeply with us afterwards. As a Jew, I’ve yearned to be able to reciprocate and support my Christian neighbors when they, too, will face the end of life.

The Christians I know ask of life only: "What would Jesus want me to do?" Today, I want to delve into that question on a personal and emotional level because when they comforted us, they said their strength came from Jesus.

Now I ask, "How do I help my Christian friends?" Do I hold their hands and pray with them as they peer into life’s most frightening abyss? How can I show an honest heart if I don’t empathize with their beliefs? They’ve told me that in death, they’ll be reunited with an unconditionally loving God and His only begotten son, who died for their sins. But I want to truly understand.

When death becomes beautiful

Remember when you were little, and you'd get so upset watching those Disney movies where someone died? You'd cry and cry until your dad or I would remind you that the story wasn’t over yet? That's what Christianity preaches about death…