Last week, after a long, difficult battle
with cancer, my dad took his last breath and ran into the outstretched, loving arms of Jesus.
My heart aches and rejoices.
My heart aches because in this life:
I’ll never again hear his precious Southern-laced
voice on the phone (telling me he’s ‘just fine’ even though we both know
better).
I’ll never again hear him call me ‘angel’
or ‘sweetheart’.
I’ll never again need to choose that just-right
birthday card or Christmas gift.
I’ll never again hear those often repeated,
wonderful stories of his adventurous youth.
I'll never again look into those soulful, beautiful, blue eyes.
I’ll never again hear him sing ‘Happy
Birthday’ to me on the phone.
I’ll never again have a patiently given in-just-the-right-spot
back scratch.
I’ll never again sit next to him on the
couch, my hand lovingly held in his.
And yet...
I can hardly contain my joy that:
He’s truly
being held in the arms of the God who created the universe.
He’s truly worshiping in His very presence.
He’s truly
being lavished with His perfect love.
He’s truly
able to breathe with ease and walk without the weight of sickness, worry and
fear.
He truly
has a completely joy-filled, satisfied soul!
My sadness is great. Oh, but my joy is so much
greater
because I know the word of God it true.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me
has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."
John 5:24 NIV
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be
no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 NIV
"You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,
the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You."
Nehemiah 9:6 NIV
Living in His grace,
Mary
Mary
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I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments, emails, and FB messages.
It's always so good to hear from you!
I sometimes link with these delightful ladies!
