We saw him when we first walk in and as he hugged us he couldn’t help but let the deep sob he had been holding in escape.
sor·row [ sórrō ]
grief: a feeling of deep sadness caused by a loss or misfortune
saddening burden: an unfortunate event, experience, or other cause of sorrow
grieve: to feel or express deep sadness over something
Synonyms: grief, mourning, sadness, distress, sorrowfulness, unhappiness, regret, trouble
I held her hand as tears filled her eyes and sorrow made its way out. I watched the family and saw the young grandchildren drenched in lose and sadness. The little one looked so brave but she missed her Nama, she was very possibly experiencing sorrow for the first time. As I held my mom’s hand I was overcome with the blessing that she sat beside me. Then as my eyes were drawn back to him, sorrow began to creep in to my very soul. The only woman he had ever known as his love, his best friend, the mother of his children, his rock, his North Star…she had gone before him to the place we all long to be…at rest in the presence of the Almighty, where the Glory of God is the only light and where no pain is allowed, no sorrow dwells there, only Joy.
The thing about death is that we are human, stuck here on this sin filled earth and although death is the ultimate win for the person who is called HOME, death is the sting that the enemy uses to accomplish his work of killing, stealing and destroying. But have heart, the enemy does not win. The enemy has been defeated. The Lord comforts those who are in sorrow.
I learned two things yesterday at the Celebration of the life of Anita Fewkes(my mom’s dear cousin).
1. I want to be like my cousin Anita. I pray that when you all remember me you will sing of my faith in Jesus and speak of my smile that always adorns my face. I pray that The Lord will fill my generations with young people who are kind and loving and faithful and strong. I pray that when you look for someone to follow too Jesus, I might be one of those who adorn your hall of faith, one who is directs you to the savior.
2. Although the death of a loved one is full of sorrow, the celebration of life brings family together. It balances the fun of family reunions and creates intimate, loving moments where hugs run deep and love seeps out of the eyes of those you greet. God himself uses death to bring family together, to remind us how short life is, to cradle our loved ones more closely and to remind us that where there is sorrow, joy follows and peace reigns.
joy [joi] noun
:the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
As a child of God we know no more solid joy then the joy of our salvation. Joy in God, the savior, and the hope of eternal life. This is joy. Its in the great delight that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us an when one of us leaves it is because they have something exceptionally good and satisfying awaiting them. Eternal life!
To God be the Glory! Be at peace Nita, we love you and we will follow to Jesus. Give Grandpa a hug for me and enjoy the eternal dance floor of heaven.
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