Friday, July 24, 2009

Soon

I'm not sure what to write, I just know that I have to. Early this morning I was informed that a woman from my church was struck and killed by a car last night. It hit me like a punch in the stomach. She and her husband go walking in the evening together and last night he opted not to go. They live out on a country road, very much like mine. A teenage boy was speeding and hit her. She has four children. She is a wonderful Christian woman who always had a smile on her face. Although I was not very close with this woman, I literally feel sick. I feel sick for her children, for her husband, for our church, and for the boy that struck her. I hate death. This was never supposed to be a part of our lives. When God created us, He created us as eternal beings. We were never meant to feel this pain. I'm ready to go home. I'm so tired of the pain in this life, and I have a wonderful life and I know that. But every time something like this happens I simply long to be in Heaven. After my uncle's death last fall, death is not "just a part of life" for me anymore. It is a tear your world apart, deep in your soul kind of ache. People talk about trying to live to their 100 or whatever. Not me. I have no desire whatsoever to live that long. If God so wills it, I would love to see my grandchildren born, but after that, take me home. Why on earth would I want to stay in this place when I have Heaven waiting for me. I totally understand Paul's dilemma. I have to stay here now because I have two precious children to raise and guide and teach about our Lord. That is my job and my ministry. They were given to me for that reason alone. And they bring me untold joy. But, Heaven, Heaven is where I am with my precious Saviour. There is no more pain, no death, no grieving, no sin, no tears. There is just my Father. I long for the first time to see His beautiful face. To physically feel the warmth of His embrace. To look into my Saviour's eyes and be overcome with the love He has for me. To touch the scars in His hands and finally understand the sacrifice He made for me. I am so thankful that she and my uncle are there now, but for the ones left behind, there is no earthly comfort. The only possible comfort can only come from our Father Himself. A friend quoted a verse that is well known but from the Message which puts it in a totally different light. It reads: "You're blessed when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." Matt 5:4. I will never understand the sorrow God allows us to feel. The only comfort that I have is that I know that the pain we feel here on earth is felt also by our Saviour. He loves us more than any of us could ever comprehend. As a parent, there is nothing like seeing your child in pain. We love our children with an earthly, imperfect love. Our Father's love is perfect and so much greater. How much greater then is the pain that He feels when He sees our hearts breaking. I ache with all that is within me to see yet another family be forced to deal with this. Please Father, wrap Your loving arms around each one in pain right now. Hold them close. Help to remind them, that You are not only the majestic King of the universe, but You are their Abba, their Daddy. And Father, soon. Please come soon.

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