My heart is somber this week. In a span of fourteen days, four folks special to me moved into their Eternal Home. Three of them were men who were around the same age - early seventies, which doesn’t feel old anymore. The fourth was an older woman so it was not unexpected yet nonetheless sad. While none of them were in my immediate family or everyday circle, they were nonetheless important to me. And my heart hurts…and rejoices…simultaneously.
I was able to spend time with some of the remaining family members of a couple of these folks and we cried together. Smiled at some memories. Said the things one customarily says at these times. Felt the sadness, brought food, sent flowers. All the things.
But as I drove home from the last visitation in Ellerslie, GA, I had a long time to ponder all of these lives. Each one had touched my own life and I felt grateful to have known them all. Regardless of how long they each lived, it still felt “too soon”. A reminder of what the writer of Ecclesiastes said (3:11) He has also set eternity in their hearts. We should not be surprised at how strange, how foreign, how wrong it feels to have Death separate us from those we love. We weren’t made for separation or for temporary - we were created for “together forever”.
I was also touched by the responses of the family members that I got to connect with and it seemed to me a fitting legacy of lives well invested. They were sad, very sad. I don’t doubt that they would have changed the story to have extended the lives. But they were not in despair. They were not crushed nor defeated. They were grateful, even rejoicing. And when I read 2 Samuel 22 this week, I thought - “that is the explanation.” The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield and t he horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge. (vs 2,3). The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation. Therefore, I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Thy name. (vs. 47, 50)
These folks were living out the legacy of faith. They had the confidence of knowing that they hadn’t said “goodbye” but rather “ see ya later”. They had watched from the front row a life that knew THE ROCK. And now, when their hearts were broken and the lives had been upended, they had the confidence of standing on THE ROCK themselves.
What a difference that makes!
And it made me wonder. I want to know that, when the totality of your days are done, will your family members be able to have that same assurance? Will the people you love be able to say through their tears ,Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Will they know that they know that they know they will see you again? And when your life is upended by great loss or pain, will you be able to rejoice and not fear but rather to say confidently Therefore I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Thy name because God is my strong fortress; and He sets the blameless in His way.
I implore you to be sure that you know and that your loved ones know. Do not delay.
If you have any questions about how to know, please contact me at chamfam@bellsouth.net I would be honored to discuss it with you.
Be sure. Be very sure. What a gift of peace and joy not only for you but also for those who love you. What a difference it makes!