You know that feeling right...the one right in your gut that spreads its lethargic tentacles through every vein in your body. That makes you feel small and somehow out of place.
I get this feeling when I feel deep loss...or start to recognize an impending loss. When we stand face to face with death we recognize, if even only subconsciously, that we can not control all that much when it comes to life and death. It will come for us all one day and the inevitability can make you feel incredibly powerless and small. In this place it is hard to let someone go, to release them with our hearts into a place of so much insecurity and doubt. It is from this place though I have found so much comfort and clarity and surprising peace in the moment. For I have been reminded of the hope we carry (or can carry!) because of Jesus.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1
I love how the message states the same set of verses.
1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
Doesn't that just breath hope and life into your heart? It sure does for me.
This past week I had to say goodbye to one of the most influential women in my life - my grandmother. When I was little she was one of my caregivers and her house was our safe haven when life was chaotic and unpredictable. She instilled in us all a deep appreciation for family and the joy it is to extend hospitality. I think she could make just about anything from scratch and I have more than one blanket in my house that she lovingly made for us. I could go on and on but maybe this might sum it up - she was one of "those ladies" - the ones that others look at and want to be like. She was such a gift in our life.
And that hope I was talking about? Is SO important, especially now. I am so thankful that I have hope that my Grandma is at peace, resting in the beauty of God's glory....probably planting a garden...lol
2 comments:
this fills me with such joy! I cried.... thank you for sharing friend <3 I love you, & if you are a fraction of the woman your Grandma is (I say is, because she IS more alive then ever!) then Kate my sweet friend your Grandma must be crazy Amazing!!!! <3 (your pretty cool!) love you hun =0)
Beautiful post Kate! I love your tribute to your grandma, it is always hard to say goodbye to the people who inspire us! Thanks for the reminders about the glory of God's grace, such an amazing thing for us to focus on!
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