Contrast

Morning and afternoon presented a sharp contrast in yesterday's events. Morning I was invited to see our anticipated baby on the big screen as Jennifer and grand daughter Catherine and I joined in on an standard appointment for her sonogram. She is due in May....and baby "Molly"...gave us a literal one thumb up as we caught a foggy glimpse of her tiny healthy skeleton. Oh What a blessing!

But quickly a joyful celebration was tempered by shocking news. As we were in the waiting room I received a phone message from a family member...and later an update from a mutual friend saying that my cousin Tommy Brennan had had a massive stroke and had died early that morning. He was a young 63, recent physical showed him to be in good health and there was no warning.

Tommy's dad and my mom were brother and sister and we grew up together sharing holidays and family affairs.
Tommy and I even had adjacent offices a few years back....and it was great fun....for HE WAS GREAT FUN...a man of integrity, a compassionate servant, a dry witted bundle of incessant humor, a loyal friend, a devoted golfer, and a leader who had a true love and dedication for his family and fellow man....But even more importantly, Tommy had a deep, dedicated and faithful relationship with Jesus Christ....and he shared it! We talked of our faith often in that season of life and savored our quiet times and simple stories of being with the Lord....and recognizing his presence. I thank God for that time. For it is heartwarming to be with folks who not only know your history but have shared it.

God is the author of life and death...and this news brings into focus one more time that God is in charge. He is the ultimate universal and heavenly authority and no matter how we spin things....or whatever we do to try to manage things from a earthly standpoint...he still has the final say! God has committed to HIS orchestrated time line and what he has purposed ....and if we look carefully we will see that he has gone before us on roads that he knows will be laden with sadness and suffering. He will "carry" us through his grace, comfort us with his love and give us rest as we struggle through unfamiliar territory. And one day at a time we will be able to look back and realize his mighty presence was with us the whole time. We will pick up pieces...and he will help us to walk slowly and cautiously, by faith and trust, onto the new platform of life that he has allowed us to embark upon.

As I considered the contrasts of the day yesterday...it occurred to me that birth is the beginning of a new life signifying a new job, a new purpose on this earth and death is the signal that the job that was designated by God himself, begun however many years ago, had been completed.... God's purposes remain in his court of decision. That surely doesn't make things any easier for those of us who are left behind but it is a comfort to know that God will carry on in our world and carry us and help us to overcome our holes filled with grief that have been left by those we love. If anyone can associate with a painful loss it is God. He has been there...he has experienced that excruciating sadness....but he also has the ability, that we do not have, to see His purposes carried out through the suffering. If we look closely we will see where he has gone before us....and the presence of his hand on situations and events preceding death will be spotlighted. He grieves with us...

We have all, at one time or another had to deal with death...some have been through the loss of children, which I cannot imagine, some the loss of parents, or close friends or family members....or people who have had a decided impact on our life....and it hurts...it hurts deeply. BUT GOD...the almighty one who has placed the stars in the sky and who had organized a universe to respond according to his plan...remains constant...And it is through His loving grace and mercy that he fortifies us with His continued power and strength and wisdom to forge ahead.

Life is not easy...but nothing worthwhile is. For some of us we are just beginning to learn to pursue the purposes that Christ has envisioned for our lives, others have "gotten " it a while back and have already been on board for years before... but whatever gifts we have been given , they have been planted within us,on this earth for Christ's glory. Tommy....was a good and faithful servant... and I truly believe that Christ now has other plans in his heavenly kingdom for the use of those gifts. He will be missed...he was loved greatly...oh but when death comes marching at our door...it only takes with it the soul of the spirit...and gracefully leaves behind the legacy, the memories and the footprints that will be a forever reminder of the life of a loved one on this earth who has been summoned to keep on moving and relocate and enter the glorious gates of Heaven.

Tommy spent his last hours, not having a clue that this was his curtain call, cradling his three year old grand daughter Charlotte before bedtime and watching a "Snow White" video with her. This would have been one of his greatest lasting desires...and he died without pain. And for these events his family is truly grateful.

Life begins ....little... and grows...the journey takes on the twists and turns of years designated and purposes
envisioned. We know not when the call of the angels will come to take us home so we must live life to its fullest each day.....appreciate our blessings, forgive others, live joyfully, seek God's direction, and stay the path of His righteousness. Nothing happens by chance here on this earth....God remains constant and in control over all things, and at all times. Jesus I trust you!

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine