2Co
12:9 And he said unto Me, My grace
is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
GRIEVING,
WITH GOD
One of the hardest things
to accept is that life as we know it does not go on. Relationships are often
difficult to establish and maintain. And on rare, wonderful occasions, some just
fall into place so easily and run so smoothly from both ends.
Losing one we're close to,
feels unfair and so sad. Those we just fell in love with from the start, that
were there for us whatever our circumstances, whatever our pain, no matter how
we lost our humor, those we could wrap our arms around and receive comfort from,
we find it impossible to release them to death.
Once we relax in knowing
they are there, will never reject us, will always return our love and affection,
how can we plan a future without them?
Amazingly enough, long
before we were conceived, long before we participated in life, God had a
plan........a perfect plan.
He foresaw the need for
this life to have a beginning as well as an end. He created and thoroughly
understood the complexities of relating to others. He gave us the ability to
love and draw close. He knew the path our lives would take and how deeply we
would feel pain. He left nothing out.
He built within us the
abilities to grieve without dying, to let go without forgetting, to cope without
quitting, to continue to love those who have gone on, yet grow to love others
more strongly and even to add new love to our hearts.
We are among those He just
fell in love with from the start, He is there for us no matter what our
circumstances, what our pain, no matter how we've lost our humor, He wants to
wrap us in His arms and receive comfort from Him.
We should not walk the
same roads over again. He devised that when our eyes have clouded with tears we
should never view things the same way again. We could grow bitter from sadness,
or we can grow and learn compassion. We should never behave as though nothing
ever happened. We should fondly remember that knowing, then missing someone has
changed us, that we were blessed with the company of angels while they were
here.
This amazingly perfect
plan that God has, of which He mapped out every possible outcome, leads us
always back into His very capable, loving arms.
He leads us to know that
after losing our loved one, when we return to life more lonely, He steps up
closer to us and not only understands our loneliness, but helps us hold our head
up.
The Fork
The sound of Martha's voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a
smile to Pastor Jim's face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the
congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all of the children
called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went. This
time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words.
"Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you.
"Of course, I'll be there around three. Is that OK?"
It didn't take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed
in her voice before. As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small
living room, Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a
previously undetected tumor.
"He says I probably have six months to live". Martha's words were
naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her.
"I'm so sorry to...," but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted.
"Don't be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I'm ready to
go. You know that. "I know," Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.
"But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking
about it, and there are things that I know I want."
The two talked quietly for a long time. They talked about Martha's favorite
hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the
years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with
Central Church.
When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused,
looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, "One more
thing, Preacher... When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork
in the other".
"A fork?" Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by
surprise. "Why do you want to be buried with a fork?" "I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I
attended through the years," she explained. "I couldn't begin to count
them all, but one thing sticks in my mind... At those really nice get togethers,
when the meal was almost finished, a server or maybe the hostess would come by
to collect the dirty dishes. I can hear the words now. Sometimes, at the best
ones, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, 'You can keep your
fork.' And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming! It didn't mean a cup
of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don't need a fork for
that. It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie! When they told
me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come!
That's exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral. Oh, they can talk
about all the good times we had together. That would be nice... But when they
walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one
another and say, 'Why the fork?' That's when I want you to tell them, that I
kept my fork because the best is yet to come!"
Letter
From Heaven
To my dearest family, some things I'd
like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from
heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;
Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with
you every morning, noon and night.
That
day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and
hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here
later on.
I need
you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to
help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me
to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And
when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are
closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are
only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do
not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no
flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God
has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one
thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now,
than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills
to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto
the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in
sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in
vain."
And now
I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just
lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the
street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a
step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free.
Remember you're
not going.....you're coming here to me.
Contributors
to this newsletter
THE
HOLY SPIRIT
Carla
J. Wilson
And
all of your prayers
If
you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to
convict you?
Be Blessed,
Shearon