Monday, July 25, 2011

Sadness

We were in Austin for a family weekend celebrating Mel's (my husband) birthday, and Sunday afternoon everything quieted down for a bit and I checked emails only to find a devastating one of sadness waiting for me. It read: "Wanted to be sure you knew that Bob Griesenbeck died of a heart attack while he was in Austin late Friday. Jan's family was all out of town, but Corby and Holly arrived back in town yesterday. I haven't heard of any arrangements yet. We are still stunned and just have no words. Kitty"

The knot in my stomach was immediate and I too was stunned at such news. I am sorry to write about yet more sad news, but these thoughts have been heavy on my heart since I read this yesterday and will for much time to come. In God I trust to take care of my friend, and her family and on that I must stand. I talked to Jan yesterday as she was leaving the funeral home and heading to Second Baptist to make further plans. She, even in this time of grief and stunned sorrow, remains true to her beliefs and steadfast in her convictions as she stated that she knows God has gone before she and her family on this journey and he will be with them throughout this time and the time to come. She said that she has already begun counting the many blessings that have been before them and I am sure will continue to invest in those precious memories. There is a settled comfort of peace even in the midst of chaos when we know Christ and know that his faithful spirit of hope and courage and strength will infuse the hearts of those who trust him, no matter what has come before them in grief or sorrow or sadness.

What do you say and what do you do when tragedy hits. There is the food deal, and the calls, and the cards and the home visits that we can do and the continued encouragement and listening ear as time passes, but then the support begins to fade and reality begins to take its rightful spot. But Christ, our true and steadfast support stands in wait and on watch at our door. He is the quiet companion who never leaves. He is the guest who never wears out his welcome, and knows how to comfort us through only a thought. He knows just how to settle down our anxious fears, and shines his light of His abounding love into the darkness of our saddened soul. He is with us always and can calm our spirit through his word and his promises of faithfulness.

Jesus is on call, without hesitation to be the unswerving rock on which we can stand. He is faithful, assuring and credible in all situations and is able to fortify us with his strength and wisdom so that we are equipped to conquer the faces of giants that lie before us. The hole that is left in our hearts by the passing of a loved one is giant indeed, and overwhelming on all fronts. It is only God who can give us the confidence to face the day ahead and not be consumed by the enormity of the hole that has been placed at our feet. For whatever burdens have been left at our feet, the Lord will graciously help us to carry. He has gone before us, and will stay beside us.

And it is through our faith that we are able to gain the confidence that we need to go forth and go forward. But first we must lay low in quiet submission and rest in his arms of comfort and allow him to give us a peace that passes all understanding. Let God stroke our anxious thoughts until they fade away and let him help us to react, recondition and readjust to the changes that have been forced upon us. He is in no hurry and neither should we be. He has given us a hope for tomorrow even in the midst of unsettling events that have broken our hearts. And that hope, even if is stifled to a flicker in the face of extreme adversity, still has a capacity to be regenerated through the love of Christ and the hope that he sets forth through our faith.

I am so sad for my friend and for this family and this loss that is before them. My heart is heavy just considering the unexpected loss that their family will have to endure. Bob was a loved, devoted and cherished husband, dad, granddad and friend who has been called upward to live in the eternal kingdom that he so strongly believed in. Life will be forever changed for the precious ones he has left behind and will take its toll on emotions and life as was.

Oh but he has left a lifeline of strategic lessons to be lived and honored and embraced by/for those he loved. The blessings that they gathered together will be highlighted of times spent, friendships built, vows upheld, joys shared, trials overcome, adventures solicited, affection displayed, and God centered love that was reflected in and through Bob's life. His gentle smile and casual persuasion will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him. For love never dies even in the midst of an earthly death. It lives on in the hearts and memories that have been forever documented in the minds of those that he loved and who loved him back.

All we have is today. For we are but a vapor on this earth, not to stay but only to pass through to eternity.

James 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

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

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