Skip to main content

Week 14:


This week rang in the New Year!
 
This weeks blessing allowed me the opportunity to bless someone who recently lost a loved one.  However, this time I've decided to not go into detail about the blessing, but instead offer some encouragement.
Death has been heavy on my heart these past few weeks. I have several friends and family members struggling with the loss of a loved one, and I feel like I need to share some hope in the midst of darkness. 

People say it's hard to lose someone who's young, or to lose them during the holidays, or to lose them unexpectedly. Here's the thing though, regardless of the amount of time, you could've had 20 years, 50 years, or 70 days with them and it still wouldn't be enough.  Maybe they died Christmas morning, or on your birthday, or on a random Tuesday in July, no matter the day the holidays are still hard without them. Maybe they died from old age, a random illness, or in a car accident, it's still hard to say goodbye.
For most people their loved one was someone they interacted with on a daily basis, and now not being able to call, hug, or kiss that person is difficult. Some say it gets easier with time and that time heals all wounds. I disagree, I don't think it "gets easier" I think it becomes a new normal. It's normal now for me to not call my mom, it's normal to not see her on the holidays, and it's normal to not celebrate my successes with her; but none of that makes any of it "easier".
However, there is one thing that does make missing or grieving for my mother easier. I believe with every fiber in me, my mom is in heaven and is living her eternity. For some that might seem silly to believe in an imaginary place, or to believe there really is a God. I mean, "Isn't he just an imaginary friend for grownups?" However, I choose to believe God is more than an imaginary friend and I choose to believe heaven is real. Why, you might ask, because of the light I saw in my mother as she laid there on her death bed. Even though, she was looking death in the face she was joyful, brave, and beautiful. She spoke of her Jesus, and spoke of His wonder, His grace, and His love. I don't know about you, but that's remarkable.
If you've lost a loved one I beg you to be bold like my mother. Don't fear death; instead rejoice in the eternity that is to come. Know that your loved one is living an eternity of no pain, no misery, and no worries. While God took them from us too soon, know that he left you for a purpose. Don't lose sight of that while grieving a loved one. It's okay to have bad days, and it's okay to long for that person, but don't lose sight of the purpose God has for your life. A friend of mine recently posted this quote, "I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."
Don't allow yourself to get lost in the darkness. In my darkest hour when I felt as though all hope was lost, because of my faith, I chose to believe there is still light in the darkness. I pray those of you who've lost a loved one will choose to make 2014 the year you step out of the darkness and into the light.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 8:

This week my blog is all about something that is very near and dear to my heart. For those of you who don't know I have a younger cousin and younger brother who both have autism. My cousin Aaron lives in Odessa, Texas, and has recently graduated High School. For most graduates this is a very exciting time, they start college, move away from home, and get an apartment. However, for Aaron things are much different. Aaron can't go to college, or live on his own, because of the autism Aaron needs to stay home with his family. He needs to have someone watch over him and help him with day to day living. Without school there isn’t anywhere Aaron can go during the day, because of this my aunt retired and stays home with Aaron.   For many years my aunt and uncle have prayed God would provide some type of resource, a place where young adults like Aaron could go to continue learning new things. God always finds a way to meet our needs.   This week my blessing is simple I ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 33:

This blessing took place the week of May 11 th – 17 th . I was beyond blessed this week. I was given an opportunity to go home for few days. I flew out on Thursday, May 15 th . Anytime I fly home I have a layover in Dallas. This usually allows for me to get breakfast or lunch. This being a typical layover I stopped to get some breakfast at McDonalds. Instead of getting my usual, just a breakfast burrito and a drink I felt the need to get the meal. It includes 2 burritos, a hash brown, and a drink. After getting my meal and arriving at my gate. The girl sitting next to me asked where she could find McDonalds. I told her she would need to take the skylink to get there, but she probably wouldn't have time to go and come back before boarding.   I told her I had an extra burrito that she could have if she wanted it. She asked if I was serious, I smiled and said, "Yes, I seriously have an extra burrito and you can have it". I went on to tell her I never get the meal b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 14:

I have a bad habit of being hard on myself. I constantly make jokes about not being good enough. It wasn't until recently when a good friend of mine told me I don't give myself enough credit. She's absolutely right, and I guarantee I'm not alone in this. I know some of you reading this do the same thing. You belittle yourself, or you try and justify you quarks. For example you might make a similar comment, "I'm socially awkward, but the people who love me look past this…" Or "I'm not really sure why people read my blog, I'm not a writer." I could list example after example of not measuring up to the "world's standards", but you know what I've learned? Those standards don't matter; they really don't, because my worth comes from a higher authority. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5 Here's the deal when God looks ...
Post a Comment
Read more