For a moment today, I sat in a pew, taking time to sit with a grieving family and friends. She was so young, barely fifty. I know there was a time when I would have thought this age to be old, but being where I am now, I realize how much of life I still want to see . . . and how the "me" does not feel old.
It makes me wonder whether the soul of a person ever gets old. Is it a tiny taste of eternity?
She was a woman who gave all of herself, lived adventurously, took chances, loved dearly and made the most of the time she had. I think everyone should attend a memorial service once in a while. In the busyness of everything going on, it was good to sit and realize what it all comes down to. What really matters.
I'm reminded of what I read a few days ago about joy and pain living side by side. In this world, those who allow joy into their lives are bound to experience pain. Even knowing this, we keep looking for joy that we hope will never go away. God has put that longing into our hearts and I believe He is also able to fulfill that desire.
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) So, while we are here, we do not understand all the whys and hows . . . we pray and wonder about God's selective hearing. In the book of Job we read that God speaks to us in different ways and dare I say that sometimes He speaks louder in our pain than in our joy?
Ann Voskamp tells us that to read God's message in" the moments" we need to know His passion for the world. When I can't understand His hand, I can trust His heart, because "Only the Word is the answer to reading the world, because the Word has nail-scarred hands that cup our face close, wipe away the tears running down . . . and whispers, "I know, I know."
Yeah when I get where I'm going,It makes me wonder whether the soul of a person ever gets old. Is it a tiny taste of eternity?
She was a woman who gave all of herself, lived adventurously, took chances, loved dearly and made the most of the time she had. I think everyone should attend a memorial service once in a while. In the busyness of everything going on, it was good to sit and realize what it all comes down to. What really matters.
I'm reminded of what I read a few days ago about joy and pain living side by side. In this world, those who allow joy into their lives are bound to experience pain. Even knowing this, we keep looking for joy that we hope will never go away. God has put that longing into our hearts and I believe He is also able to fulfill that desire.
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) So, while we are here, we do not understand all the whys and hows . . . we pray and wonder about God's selective hearing. In the book of Job we read that God speaks to us in different ways and dare I say that sometimes He speaks louder in our pain than in our joy?
Ann Voskamp tells us that to read God's message in" the moments" we need to know His passion for the world. When I can't understand His hand, I can trust His heart, because "Only the Word is the answer to reading the world, because the Word has nail-scarred hands that cup our face close, wipe away the tears running down . . . and whispers, "I know, I know."
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
Brad Paisley
16 comments:
Beautiful reflections Anneliese. It is good to once in awhile to realize how brief this time on earth is and see if what we will leave behind when we die. .really mattered at all.
Beautiful new look on your blog, and beautiful words. When my mother was about 88 years old, she told me that though her body was getting so very old and worn out--inside she still felt like a young girl. I didn't know whether to rejoice or cry when she told me that! Thank God that our every young spirit gets to spend an eternity in heaven, where nothing wears out!
Yes. When it all comes down to it, what really matters? 'What really matters' (per Lovella's blog) is how I found the Mennonite Girls can Cook website, all the way from here in Australia. I agree, when we sit with people suffering from loss, it is somehow a profound reminder of what life is really all about. What we do in love is really all that matters.
Sonya
Thank you for this reminder - we played that Brad Paisley song when my brother-in-law died this past May it is such a good song!
Beautiful thoughts -- I'm sorry for your loss.
Reduced to tears...Life on earth is really just a short time, isn't it? Then, then the arms of our precious Saviour and Lord welcome us to our eternal home. Oh, what a day that will be.
Love from NC
What beautiful words Anneliese! Recently this youtube video was sent to me by a collegue who had recently lost his mother. His friends from Winnipeg sent this video of themselves singing to a friend of theirs who was in Palliative Care. Their friend also recently passed away. Hope you are moved and inspired by this as much as I was!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QKqpax7DeM
God has placed eternity in our hearts which is truly a wonderful thing....awesome post! Such a good reminder that we really are only here for a little while and that the best is yet to come.
Beautiful encouraging thoughts Anneliese. Those Brad Paisley words are great.
Heartfelt thoughts, Anneliese. Death has a way of making us reflect on life.
Thank you for sharing the story of your parents' friends who came to Quito and whose lives were changed. I love hearing stories of how God works.
Beautiful words...beautiful thoughts...on what really matters! Thanks, Anneliese.
Lovely! I too remember 50 sounding old....where have the years gone?! May I be found faithful on the journey I have left.
I can tell that Anne's book has impacted you strongly. I feel the same sentiments.
Thanks for sharing this special moment as you grieve for you friend and family.
Great quote.
But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
This song is so amazing.
Thanks for the reminder to live "in the light of eternity"
This is all so true. We want the joy but not the pain yet it is in the painful moments we learn the most. How important to live fully in each moment.
Thoughtful insights, Anneliese.. and so true. We go to more memorial/funerals that we care to and yes... when the one who has gone is my age or younger it brings it home that this life is short - just long enough to prepare for eternity!
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