I've never been more sure of the presence of Jesus Christ through darkness as I was this week. His presence was made known through fellow believers, through the kindness of strangers, through little moments, through sadness, through fear, through anxiety, and through regrets. On what I was afraid would be a dark week, there was so much of His blinding light surrounding Nate's family and illuminating the way to move beyond the tragedy and rejoice in the life of a dearly loved grandmother and sister in Christ.I don't even know where to begin and end, so I'll try to express some of my thoughts and feelings. We began Tuesday morning in shock and ended it Sunday with a sense of peace and a little bit of laughter. Myself, I am able to move beyond the shock and the reality, but now I am struggling with fear. Fear that anyone I love might be hurting or sad, fear for one's that do not know Jesus, and fear that anyone I love might get hurt. I know that God holds us in the palm of His hand and that He knows the plans for us, but Satan is trying to rob me of any peace I've been granted.
One of my biggest comforts is the fact that she was above all else a strong Christian. She was a cancer survivor, and she cherished each and every day that God had given her since recovery. Through little notes in her Bible and on her table stand, I got to see who it was that gave her the ability to love beyond measure. It was the same God that is giving all of us the strength to take another step forward. She had a bible that she cherished since her baptism, and I was privileged to be able to look through it. It was full of marks and highlights and underlining and little handwritten notes of sermons she had heard. The text of her funeral service was of her own choosing, 1 Corinthians 15:10. Steve K. gave the sermon and he talked on grace and used other scriptures regarding grace that she had highlighted in her bible and to call upon none other than Christ to receive that gift. A few of the verses he read were Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 1:1-8, Ephesians 2:7-10, Ephesians 3:7, Titus 2:11-12, and Titus 3:5-8. He said that it is not enough to just want to be like Grandma, she would want us to recognize that it was the light of Christ in her that made her who she was.
I am very thankful for the times we spent this week with all the family and the memories will last forever. It was not a happy time, but it was a time that we were all together (except one) and longing for the same thing. Heaven. Continue praying for Grandpa and his children. The grandchildren range in ages from 8 to 32 and they are all going to miss her very much. Seventy two years just doesn't really seem long enough when there are still weddings, birthdays, showers, holidays, and camping trips that she doesn't get to be there for.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Cherish the time you have with the ones you love. Call on Jesus to receive the free gift of grace.
One of my biggest comforts is the fact that she was above all else a strong Christian. She was a cancer survivor, and she cherished each and every day that God had given her since recovery. Through little notes in her Bible and on her table stand, I got to see who it was that gave her the ability to love beyond measure. It was the same God that is giving all of us the strength to take another step forward. She had a bible that she cherished since her baptism, and I was privileged to be able to look through it. It was full of marks and highlights and underlining and little handwritten notes of sermons she had heard. The text of her funeral service was of her own choosing, 1 Corinthians 15:10. Steve K. gave the sermon and he talked on grace and used other scriptures regarding grace that she had highlighted in her bible and to call upon none other than Christ to receive that gift. A few of the verses he read were Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 1:1-8, Ephesians 2:7-10, Ephesians 3:7, Titus 2:11-12, and Titus 3:5-8. He said that it is not enough to just want to be like Grandma, she would want us to recognize that it was the light of Christ in her that made her who she was.
I am very thankful for the times we spent this week with all the family and the memories will last forever. It was not a happy time, but it was a time that we were all together (except one) and longing for the same thing. Heaven. Continue praying for Grandpa and his children. The grandchildren range in ages from 8 to 32 and they are all going to miss her very much. Seventy two years just doesn't really seem long enough when there are still weddings, birthdays, showers, holidays, and camping trips that she doesn't get to be there for.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Cherish the time you have with the ones you love. Call on Jesus to receive the free gift of grace.
1 comment:
I sit here with tears in my eyes this morning as I read your blog. I have hurt so much for your family and all of Ruths family through this sad time. It is sad for us who are left here, but an answer to her prayer. She is now living the scriptures that she has held dear!! I want to say that I understand your fear. I feel that way too sometimes. I think you're right,though, it is satan who is at work. Let's work together to defeat satan in our lives. We know that sometime soon he will be defeated for ever!!! Praise God. Rest in Peace grandma Ruth. I love you Joni.
Post a Comment