Glory in the Grim!

A guest writer for today … my son, Sean

He flew up from his home in Florida to spend a few days with his Mom and me.  The weekend was good until pain invaded on Sunday. I left them together at home while I went to do ministry at our church.  Their time together was precious.  Sean reflects on it and his prayer for his Mom is a lesson for life.  Read on …

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Glory in the grim!

The sting of sickness and death is not an easy thing to accept. And, how could it be?
Everything inside us wants life, here and now. We know what we know. We love who we love because it is all we know.

Our Christian faith gives hope but, when death is at our doorstep, when the life today and accepting the life to come meet at a crossroads, only then do we truly see how far and deep that faith goes. No matter who you are, that intersection is a difficult place to be. Our family is there.

As I was sitting at the table with mom yesterday, her fragile body pushing back the pain, we both spoke through tears because what we know/experience was in a battle with what we believe. We talked as mother and son. We shared our love for each other and our family. Our mind was telling us to hold onto each other but our spirit was saying that the best is yet to come. As I touched her arm, wishing I could touch her heart, I kept saying to myself,

"This body will be new mom. It's OK. We love you but want you to be whole. This is not the end. This is the beginning! I can't wait until we see each other without a broken body and pain. Whether healing comes or not in this life, sadness will inevitably come for us all; one day we all will have to let go. And in that brief moment of interruption, of letting go, when the pain takes hold, know that it is only for a moment. What comes from this pain is more beautiful than you or I can imagine. We are promised that!"

I couldn't eek those words out through tears but I prayed them as we sat there. Speaking to moms soul, praying that God be here now, covering mom in His all-consuming love. Those powerful words, words I believe/hope/trust in, even today after arriving back home, still spill out through clenched teeth. I am not angry but the sorrow can be relentless. Even though they bring peace, they are in no way easy. Mom knows that. We know that but we have a resolve as a family to walk this valley together. And that is an amazing thing!

We are praying this as a family: Heavenly Father, we give you our mom. She is a treasure to us! We do not understand why but we trust in your plan. If it your will, make her new, but if it is not, we ask for your grace and mercy. Fill the gaps. Be her strength when she has none. Be her peace when we cannot give it. We give you our mom. Amen.

As we experience this, we do not forget about the countless others who are walking the same path. As we pray for our mom, we pray for you. You are not alone. We are never alone. This pain is only for a moment. Amen.

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Jerry, writing here …

Yes, Christian, our true home is not in this world.  Oh yes, we love this present world, these bodies.  That is as it should be.  But we know we are not home yet.  There is Glory even in the grim for those whose true home awaits.  I hope that you know the grace of the Resurrected Savior and are keeping your anchor

firmly set in the promise of life everlasting, the gift of God for all who will receive it.

Here is a word from the Word. - "All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them." (Hebrews 11:13-16, NLT)

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O That Will Be Glory

When all my labors and trials are o'er,

And I am safe on that beautiful shore,

Just to be near the dear Lord, I adore;

Will through the ages be glory for me.

O that will be, glory for me!

Glory for me, glory for me!

When by His grace, I shall look on His face;

That will be glory, be glory for me.

When by the gift of His infinite grace,

I am accorded in heaven a place.

Just to be there and to look on His face,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

Friends will be there I have loved long ago,

Joy like a river around me will flow.

Yet - just a smile from my Savior I know,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

Charles Hutchinson Gabriel | Marilyn White

© Words: Public Domain

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com