I'll be home for Christmas

1,000 Word Thursday

His first Christmas in Heaven

The time has come.

We never really thought it would. He has done better than any thought and we just kind of figured he may defy science and medicine.

Death, in our shared faith of Christianity, is actually a birth into Jesus' arms. It's a temporary separation for us as a family because we know that we know we will soon be together.

As we talk about this process with our children we describe it as holding hands with their grandpa and walking into the foyer of Heaven, as far as these earthly bodies can take us.

What an honor.

My sweet Betty whispers in his ear how much she loves him while stroking his face tenderly with her hand. His eyes open momentarily as she begins to pray.

We gather round bout the bed recalling our favorite memories, stories and jokes that caused him to giggle.
Like...
"What do you get when you goose a ghost? A handful of sheet!"

We love you Ruben Melvin Larrabee and though we are so thoroughly heartbroken for our loss we know you are so excited to spend your first Christmas in Heaven!

A HEART IN LOVE

Today's echo, last weeks pain.

Our hearts say goodbye... over time.

"Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll--are they not in your record?"

Psalm 56:8

My heart is still in mourning and heavy as I attempt to reckon my friend Karen...her passing...into Jesus' arms. As I sat in her service this week, surrounded by hundreds of people (her precious children front and center) with like understanding I was struck by the chord of unity in that understanding. Sorrowful but not without hope.
Even in our deepest sorrow, God cares! Jesus reminds us of how much God understands us--He knows even the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30).
Often we waver between faith and fear. God knows every problem and sees every tear.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of compassions and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When God comforts us, should our troubles dissolve like snowflakes on warm ground? If this were so, wouldn't we turn to Him only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him?

His comfort...
receiving strength to walk through...
encouragement to endure...
and hope to strive and withstand.

The 'WHAT' we endure will help us comfort others who are suffering similarly.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

This week as I join Ann Voskamp and many other women counting our thanksgivings as an act of worship, I again have but one.

 

#123

A heart that beats IN LOVE with my Heavenly Father.

 

Light from the heart Nebula

 

Tschüss und Bis Bald

 


I write pensive.
Reflective, Aware, Torn, Melancholy, weeping deep inside where no one can see but my Maker.
My troubled soul twists so that it threatens to suffocate.


No pretty packaged answers. My understanding is caught up with thoughts of a  fleeting life that we clutch like a vise.


I know, I've learned, I've studied and read. His intimacy is familiar. I recognize His whisper...we are in relationship.
He sustains me and I trust........
Some things only Eternity will reveal.


I hang my head, the grief threatens my next breath. The thought of her leaving this world leaves me mournful, crestfallen and joyful all in this moment. A dear friend says... "This is the sadness we feel for those she leaves behind and the joy we know she is experiencing!! It's compassion"


I want to tear this cloak of despair... I see her children. Children saying goodbye to their mom all too soon.


In reality she is being promoted. Odd to say, and strange to write, apart from a Creator.
She walked into His arms. Cured, whole, pain free and reunited with her earthly love who only a year ago left. Oh what a reunion that is. I know her, she will dance.


Why clutch onto today?
Our tomorrows are with Him.



Some things uttered in her last breaths shared by her best friend..

"YOU are the joy set before Him"

Psalm 73:26 - My health may fail, and my spirit  may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

"God the Father gave me the breath of life, Jesus my savior takes my breath away."

Isaiah 55:8,9 (HCSB) *For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

"I love Your ways."


"Our lives, our existence is because of Him and an offering to Him"

You friend will be greatly missed. We grieve, not without hope. Rebecca's first loss...She will hold your daughter and we will stand at attention to fill any and every void that we are able. You most certainly are filling your unquenchable thirst for travel now. Not bound by an earthly body.


As I move forward in making my life as much about worship as I possibly can and counting 1,000 gifts...today I give one.

 #122

Elani and Karen our ♥

Tschüss und Bis Bald Karen