On this day, six years ago, we buried my Mom.
On this day, six years ago, I learned a lot about what the other people in my family feel about death, life and what happens to us at the end of it all.
On this day, six years ago, our faith became more real than it ever had been up to this point. What do we really believe? We had nothing left but faith, hope and an utter reliance on all of the things we had hidden in our hearts, our minds and our life.
Yet, some in my own immediate family are choosing to believe that this is the end. She simply ceased to exist and is lying in this spot forever. That there is no life beyond what we physically know right now.
What hopelessness.
What sadness.
What grief.
I am confident of this, friends: My Mom is not in that grave. This spot simply stands as a memorial and a resting place for her body until her Savior returns!
WHAT HOPE WE HAVE IN CHRIST
There is no way around it. Those who choose not to know Him, will never understand the peace, the hope, the comfort and the strength that comes from no longer being blinded to the truth.
What will be on your grave marker? What will you believe?
We have a tendency to believe that everyone that dies goes to Heaven because it makes us feel better. All dead people create angels. Am I right? "Don't worry, they are looking down on you" "She's an angel in heaven now" "God must have needed a new angel" We can spend a lifetime choosing not to believe in God, live our life for Him, seek Him... but as soon as someone dies we suddenly believe they go to heaven by default.
No! It's SO much more than that! Not everyone goes to heaven!
So, where are you going to be?
When that grave marker has your name on it and your loved one is standing by dealing with the fact that you are gone... where will you be?
My Mom is in Heaven with her Savior. Her first love. She has been redeemed and even though she doesn't deserve to be in Heaven (after all, we are all sinners!), she is there because she knows that Christ died for her and she has been forgiven and chose to give her life over to Christ.
She is not sitting on a cloud, looking down on me and acting as God in my life. She is enjoying time with Jesus and who knows what else!! What matters, is that I will see her again one day.
I know this, because I too am a sinner redeemed by Christ.
I, too, am promised an eternity with Him simply because He chose to forgive me and call me His own.
Life doesn't end in that grave.
You are going to go somewhere.
Where will it be?
Very well-worded, Sister-Cousin. I love knowing, without a doubt, that your mom is up there walking with her Savior, because I know how much she loved Him while she was here. I pray that it is evident in my life as well, although I fear I have a long way to go until it is apparent as it was with your mom.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Very well said, my dear friend!!! Love and prayers to you ALL! Heaven is a sweet place because - just as you said - our First Love is there waiting for us! It makes it even sweeter with loved ones already there enjoying, "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be!" I know, as do you, without a doubt that your Mom's face is even more radiant in the light of Jesus; she is enjoying her Lord. While I only knew her a short time, second hand, there is no doubt that one day you will be reunited and for that I am grateful! Love your sharing and tender heart. Miss you bunches!!!
ReplyDeleteI would be SO lost thinking that death is "the end". Knowing that my mom is not in that grave has helped me to move on. I think people who don't believe are not able to move on. I've seen that in my aunt. She lost her dad last September and she has really, really struggled with it. I'm not saying that people who do believe don't struggle, because I have had my struggles, but it's different. I'm glad we both get to see our moms again!!
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