There are a few words and phrases that have deeper meaning since walking daily through Christina's dying process. 'Eternal Life' is such a phrase. One of the first times we are introduced to this phrase is John 3:16--"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Spoken by Jesus to a searching Nicodemus.
Eternal life--live forever--never die. Really? Is this just a nice religious sounding phrase or the shocking truth of life with Jesus?
Christina's 'dying' process brought further clarity to my heart on this subject. About 3 1/2 weeks before her last breath on earth, her body was fading. Her eyesight was nearly gone. Her ability to move around was greatly diminished. Her mind could no longer hold together the facts and happenings of a day. But our time together on May 18th was marked by the discussion and recitation of Psalm 23--particularly walking through the valley of the shadow of death and fearing no evil.
Then she asked for more scripture. We read 2 Corinthians 4 and 5. We read John 17. She said she did not want little bits--large amounts of scripture. We discussed both of these passages in depth. Here is the statement that stunned me. "My spirit is waking up. I want to stay up all night and talk about these important things."
If, as some say, we die and return to dust and then are no more, why in the world would a spirit be "waking up"? Christina's spirit was getting larger and larger as her body was declining. Cancer was using up her physical body but God was waking up her spirit. 2 Corinthians 4:16 is one of the verses we discussed. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." I could visibly see her spirit being renewed while her outward body was wasting away. I am so thankful that God gives us visible and tangible pictures to help us understand the truth of His word.
I miss Christina's physical presence, terribly. But I know without a doubt that she is living with Jesus as He promised. I just took a journey through the book of John and took note of how often He talked about eternity and preparing a place for us. It's true. Jesus speaks the truth. He is the truth.
I have walked with others through their 'dying' process and I knew it to be holy ground. It is a place where this physical world meets eternity and we get to peer in with them for just a moment. Christina drew back the curtain that separates this physical world from the eternal realm and made it more real for me than this place we live.
It is my hope to share more of what she saw and heard. It is glorious.
Incredible to think that it can be "that tangible" but with Eyes wide open and heart like a child, you can see it and feel it, and even seem to touch it. Love you...
ReplyDeleteYes--thanks, Michelle. Let's keep our eyes open and our hearts ready.
DeleteIt is glorious... beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Jan
and faith building:)
DeleteShe taught me...eternity in the moment.
ReplyDeleteShe was such a good teacher!
DeleteThink this is one of my favorite posts, specifically that last paragraph. Christina did make that eternal realm more real...that I can even describe. And moreso...make me long for that place which is our eternal home. Keep sharing, keep writing. She is still teaching today through you :). Much love to you Jo Dee.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy. I wake up in the morning and think about Christina. Then I think about the reality of her completed journey and her joy with Jesus and I smile. She said there is lots of room:)
ReplyDeleteYour words are anointed and speak to my heart. Thank you Jo Dee. Love and prayers from glynda.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Glynda, for taking the time to read. Much love to you.
ReplyDeleteEternity. We are eternal. Christina helped show me that too. She lived it out. Being eternal, that changes the game completely. This life takes on a whole new meaning. Priorities shift, perspective change and life suddenly becomes a bit more simple.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Jacob. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteJoDee, I met you and your precious daughter several years ago now, shortly after she had been first diagnosed with the tumors. The two of you came to Bozeman, where I was also living at the time and the two of you spoke to a little group of us. I knew then that yours and hers was a story worth listening to and soaking up, as all stories are that speak of surrender and clinging to the Holy One. I know each of you have individual stories, but what struck me the most both then and now, being a mother too, is the story of the journey of you two together, as mother toward daughter and daughter toward mother; and together as two women toward God. Jo Dee, your life has been beautifully written by the Master story-teller. He has more. Thank you for allowing Him in. May your surrender to Him continue to enrich your journey as it continues to enrich those around you. Be at peace, the Father is with you.
ReplyDeleteGail Heaton
Thank you, Gail. I certainly remember meeting you:) My Father is with me and I know He has more for me. Part of my "more" right now is writing. I feel strongly about having a future and a hope. Christina completed her life on earth in such a full and rich way. I pray that I will do the same for as many days as God gives me.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jo Dee