Healing Line

Healing Line

Pulling the Plug???

by Dr. Jackie Canepa
October 1992

Recently, my 87–year–old mother said to me regarding an aunt of mine, "She's really had a hard life. She raised at home a brain–damaged child for 50 years and just recently placed this child in a group home. She also had to 'pull the plug' on her husband... " At that point I became extremely uncomfortable internally. Finally, I realized the source of my discomfort — as a Christian, I find the terminology, 'pull the plug', highly offensive. From my understanding of who God is and of what happens to us when we die to this life, I find that term to be a real denial of what I believe.

Genesis maintains that God created man to be in a loving relationship with Him. Ecc. 3: 1–2a states, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die... " Then John 3:16 joyfully affirms, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." The meaning of those words to me is that: we, as Christians, are always in God's keeping, we came from Him and we return to Him, He has a plan for each life, and we will die to this life, but will have everlasting life with Him. Therefore, I am submitting another term which expresses what is truth for me, which you may use if you so choose. Rather than 'pulling the plug', how about 'Releasing this person into God's hands' (for Him to deal with in His great love and mercy).


October 1992 Issue