Isaac and I have noted that frequently in books and movies, people die unnecessarily for each other. For example, one person is trapped in a dangerous situation (i.e. a collapsing mine, a city under nuclear attack, et cetera). Rather than saving themselves, other people often refuse to leave them and thus condemn themselves to death as well. (Picture the hero saying, "I'll never leave you!")
We think that's dumb. If I was going to die, I don't want Isaac to heroically stay with me. I want to know he'll be safe! Conversely, if Isaac was going to die anyway, and I had a chance to save myself, I'd take it. It really bugs me when people die unnecessarily.
Somehow this opinion of mine came up at a church meeting tonight. People thought I was callous and uncaring. Thoughts?
7 comments:
I have to say, if i didn't have kids, I would want to stay with Arlie every last second i could. So if that meant dying with him unnecessarily, than so be it. At least I'd die knowing that I was with him to the end. Besides (honestly)it would be so hard to live without him, it may be easier to die with him. However, if you throw kids in there and have to decide to stay with him or take care of the kids, that would be a much harder decision for me.
Maija had a really good point and made me think: kids affect how I would answer this question. If I had kids and was dying, I would kick him out of the collapsing cave. (and vice versa)
Otherwise, Harry comes first and... I am not sure what I would do.
No, I agree with you, Allison. I think you can "do" much more on behalf of your loved one if you actually go on living (in a way, much harder) than to die with them needlessly. If I were dying, I think I'd be much happier knowing that my husband at least was still in the world, able to live and do good. Of course, what do I know. I'm not married. :-)
I'm surprised that people actually told you they thought you were callous and uncaring for thinking that. I would call it practical. I'll have to ask Matt sometime, but I'm pretty sure he would totally agree with you. I'm still on the fence. I'd have to be put in the situation to know what I'd do... It's an interesting topic, though - I think I'll bring it up tomorrow to see what the people currently in my house have to say about it...
I agree with Maija.
One thing I feel is left out of your (and the commentators') thoughts - "What is God's will for you at that time?" If you can honestly answer "God's specific task for me is to die next to my mate in this cave," then you really have no choice. On the other hand, if you know His will for you is to do anything else at all, then again, you have no choice. We serve here at His will. It is not ours to say whether we WANT to die with our mate. Ours is to do whatever the Father gives us to do. While the "cave" scenario is hypothetical, our responsibility to be drilling into the will of God for our lives is very real and very "now."
i know that i'm way late on this but my first instinct was - are kids involved? i would hate to die alone but your dad has a very good point.
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