We all go back to God
“For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" ~ Romans 14:7-8 (NIV)
Real MOMent
Death can be perceived as a dark topic. A topic that we avoid speaking about until we have to, but know deep down inside it is unavoidable. Most recently, I have been surrounded by death. Even today (January 19th) as I write, a sweet newborn baby who my Bible Study group had been praying for all night and throughout today, took their first and last breath. Within the same 24 hours, my husband’s grandmother, who at the delicate age of 92, went to meet her Maker. On January 15th, I noted in my agenda that I would one day write on the subject of death in a future post. Not knowing four days later, that opportunity would be accelerated as my sister in Christ, Allison (the coauthor of this blog site) would be mourning the death of a loved one and spending the needed time with her family.
So in this moment, as I reflect on death that comes to the young and the old, sometimes expected, and other times spontaneously, I remember the first time the topic came up with my child, who was at the time around 4 years old. Our conversation started with him coming home from preschool, asking did I know that Martin Luther King died. I guess like all things, if you do not have the conversation with your children first about certain topics, the kids at school will beat you to it. I decided that formally introducing the topic of death utilizing MLK’s life would be a great approach. It would allow us to talk about what it meant to go to Heaven without the fresh emotions that come once a close family member or friend passes.
Coincidentally, on MLK’s actual birthday of this year (2 years or so later from that initial discussion with my son) and the day I wrote in my agenda that I would eventually write about death; I watched online the joint funeral of a close friend’s father-in-law and sister-in-law. While I didn’t know too much about her husband’s family, I did know that they were God fearing, spiritually led, and had lost two vital family members in a matter of days. Throughout the funeral service and in subsequent conversations with my close friend, what stood out was that both the sister and dad’s assignment here on Earth had been completed, as affirmed by their family. Her sister-in-law was a global missionary, who made huge impacts by relentlessly professing her faith. There were countless people who spoke highly of her, including students whom she had taught. After the service, I was led down the path to think, what will someone say about me when it is my time? How will my children remember me? More importantly, what will my Heavenly Father think about how I used my time granted here on Earth?
MOMent of Clarity
It was that line of questioning where I realized I missed a big piece of the conversation about death that I needed to revisit with my child in the future, but desire to show in my actions now: What we do for the Kingdom of God while on Earth is all that truly matters once we are gone. We are all here on an assignment. Whether the death of a baby means that their mother lives, God has created a unique purpose for us. This is not our permanent home. We all go back to God. Once we live our life to fulfill His purpose, whether big or small, the angels will rejoice once we transition to the other side. Yes, the human part of us naturally feels sad that our loved one’s presence is not physically with us any longer. Spiritually it is the hope of all Christians that we make it to Heaven to live eternally with Christ. It is my hope that all mourning families find peace, comfort, and understanding that God’s will while we are on Earth or called to Heaven will always be done. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” ~ Romans 8:28 (NIV)
 I am praising God for two things this week:
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 These reflective questions have been highlighted in the blog post, with exception of the last one:
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 Dear God, Thank You for thinking enough of me to create a unique purpose for my life. I know understanding my purpose and intentionally living in my purpose are not the same thing. While I recognize there have been times, when I have felt unworthy and not prepared to live in the purpose You created for me, You have waited for me and built me up even through trials and tribulations until I was ready. As You created life, You also created death. Please help me continue to remember that You alone decide when to call us home (even the people who I don't want to see leave). Please help me not waste time on things that are not in Your will for my life. As many families over the past two years. two months, and even two weeks have been affected by the death of loved ones, please provide them with ultimate healing and comfort in You. Amen. |
My thoughts and prayers for the Douglas family, the Crewell family, the Asuquo family, the Clyburn family and the McDaniels family. |
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