Can death (change) be beautiful?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  The other day I reposted an article The Guest List.  When I stated "they" gave me permission I failed to mention the they is Time of Grace with Pastor Mark Jeske.  I receive Pastor Jeske's Time of Grace devotional daily and it is very inspiring.

  Okay, can DEATH be beautiful?  Let us stop and think about this for a moment.  Look at leaves in the fall/winter season having come from the spring/summer time.  What happens to leaves? 

    Because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.

   How does this relate to us, human beings?  We begin in life as a simple 'bud' and then slowly grow into a beautiful miracle created by God. Just like leaves.  Just as chlorophyll breaks down and the color changes, so do we.  I started as a curly headed blond boy to a dirty blond haired man, to a gray and hair loss older man.

   Leaves life span is through a few seasons; human life span is through a few decades.  We turn. Plus, physically we went from crawling, to walking, to running, to being athletic, back to walking fast, to walking slow to walking with a walker to a wheel chair or immobile.

   Johnny, I don't understand the connection.  Okay, when a leaf buds out we watch as it becomes green as the cells containing chlorophyll gives the leaf its green color. Giving us beauty to enjoy.

   We begin (as an infant) and start to grow, giving our parents and family joy.  As our "chlorophyll" continues to grow in us we become this beauty God made as did HE leaves.

   As time continues the leaves become bold, green and full of life, feeding the tree.  Then comes the time the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.

  We, as humans, grow, blossom and bloom into this wonderful Child of God to offer joy and wisdom to others in our lives.  Then, as change comes, we become older, more frail, and then are no more.

   When the leaf changes color (dies) slowly the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar.

   We, as the leaf, are severed from our earthly family, leaving a scar (our absence) and we move on. The leaf dies and deteriorates. However, we, the believers in Jesus Christ, go to be reunited with family and friends who have gone before us in the heavenlies and fellowship with Jesus.

  The leaves have given us joy in their life, then their changing of colors.  We should give joy to our families and also share the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ with family and friends.

  Very long today and I do hope you understand the parallel that I have been trying to make. There is beauty in this world from plants to animals to humans and we get to share in that beauty by being part of it.  We must, should, bring beauty to this world and share the Word of God with everyone.  Thank you for reading with me today. If you did read this far please give me a thumbs up or down. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny