 |
| May of last year (2013) |
My friends ask me how this month
is going for me as I remember what we were doing one year ago. Reading my journal from last May caused
some mixed emotions. It brought
back to mind the questions, the difficulties, the exhaustion. It also reminded me of the
unquestionable presence of Jesus.
He was so near Christina and all of us, really. He let us experience the process of one
of His sheep moving into His presence forever. Each day was another glimpse into forever. We saw the joy on Christina’s face as
she talked about and to Jesus. We
saw light in her mostly blind eyes as she saw and heard angels. We loved hearing about her new dwelling
place with Jesus. We loved the
messages He whispered in her ears.
It is not easy to describe watching someone you love so dearly, move
from life on earth to life with Jesus.
There was an awakening deep in Christina that overshadowed the fading of
her earthly body.
Sometimes I shake my head in
disbelief as I remember watching Christina take her last breath. As an isolated incident, it seems too
much to bear. But as a part of the
whole journey, it was a necessary moment.
Leaving her earthly body behind—well, it was time. And it was just a moment. The rest of the picture is her wide
awake spirit, her unhesitant heart, her absolute assurance of heaven, and her
total surrender of all earthly cares.
Today, my thoughts may start with
a dying body but they quickly move to a very present Savior and a daughter free
from exhaustion, from pain, and every other known and unknown struggle she
faced. I feel deep relief for
her. I applaud her well-lived
life. I sing her favorite worship
songs and sometimes I think she is singing along with me in that beautiful
eternity just beyond the curtain.
Today I also celebrate the day
that we are given right now. There
is a beautiful joyful child that reminds me every day of his beautiful, joyful
mother. Isaiah is full of
life.
He has named me Jo Jo and named my Doug, Bampa. He loves discovery. He loves to talk. He loves to play. He loves the ocean. He loves cars. He loves trucks. He loves to thank Jesus for his food. He loves to watch his mom on video
singing, “King Jesus is All”. He
is our reminder that our lives did not end when Christina breathed her last
breath on earth. When I rock
Isaiah to sleep, I am doing it for Christina. When I teach him something new, I am doing it in honor of
her. Every minute with Isaiah is a precious reminder of the value of our days.
What a beautiful life.
Thank you, Jesus.
You are amazing.
 |
| Bampa and Jo Jo and Isaiah |
Thanks once again, Jo Dee, for a glimpse into a life and death of joy with Jesus! You and your family's courage to share Christina's legacy is an inspiration to all of us who knew her AND to those who did not. Blessings to all of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and encouraging, Mary. It is a great privilege to share her life and it was so much more amazing than I can describe to walk with her all of her final months. God has been so very generous to my heart.
DeleteThis is absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the encouragement:)
DeleteJo Dee that was so beautiful. I cried some but also rejoice and even envy Christina's new life. thank
ReplyDeleteyou.
Kelly, thanks for writing. I know what you mean. There is a great beauty in having finished the race and moving on to the reward.
DeleteOh my goodness. This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever...ever...read. I love the lens that you see life...and death through. Someone once told me "wisdom~is seeing life through God's eyes". Then you, my friend, are very wise.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line was "Each day was another glimpse into forever.".
Oh that each of my days were viewed that way. What a wonderful way to live. And...die.
Thank you so much, Janice. Each day is a new opportunity to surrender to God's purposes and see His hand at every turn. He and I had a serious talk today as we faced some new difficulty. He is Good.
Delete