Dealing With Death

Hello everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I would like to talk a bit about death today. It's so sad to see someone we know and love go on to the next level. It brings feelings of anger, grief, resentment, and guilt among other things. My family has lost 2 members in 5 months. My grandmother, and my 2nd cousin, who was more like an uncle or dad to me. Both knew Jesus and are no doubt with him now. I can just see Mamaw up there, working in the most glorious flower garden, flowers more beautiful than the ones we see down here. See, heaven, I believe, is the most glorious place. The bible says ears have not heard, and eyes have not seen, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the good things God has in store for those that love him. My cousin, who was an avid outdoorsman, is probably fishing in the lushest water, and reeling in some major keepers! All in the presence of God! Whew, sounds like a wonderful place. If you have lost a loved one, know that they loved you and wouldn’t hold anything against you. You may have not been as nice to them or treated them as good as you wished you would have, but they love you and so does God. He forgives you and you need to forgive yourself. We have tendencies to look back on what we could have, or should have done different, but no matter how much we want to, we can’t change the past. Get on past that and enjoy the memories you had with them. Their not hurting, their having a ball, and want you to do the same. Anger can be so destructive! I was ok with Mamaw dying, she was the Lord's and to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord. But my with my cousin I kind of got angry at God for a few moments. I said, God, that is 2 in 5 months, it’s not right! This man had a family, was getting ready to announce his call to preach the gospel, been saved for 5 years and on fire for you! What are you thinking! He gently let me know that his ways are above mine and his understanding greater than mine, and that he left a witness. That maybe someone, some family member may have only have been saved by his death. And Danny would have wanted that. Rather than live and see none of them saved, he would rather have given his life that one may be saved. I’m not saying that’s the reason, but we just don’t know. All I know is God knows more than I do and I trust him. God was finished with him here. I don’t pretend to know any of these answers, I only poke at the possibilities, but I do know one thing, CHERISH THOSE ALIVE AS THOUGH THIS IS YOUR LAST DAY WITH THEM. Give the kids an extra hug and kiss, spend some extra play time with them. Tell your wife you love her, and hug her. Call your mom and dad and go visit for a while. Be a blessing to people while we can! Friends, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, all of them. The stranger on the street, say a kind hello. And if you know someone who doesn’t know Jesus, say an extra prayer for them. Find places and opportunities to sow a seed of Gods word and love to them, for tomorrow they may be gone. Remember this; this is not the end, only a passing through place, to a far better home. These bodies are temporal, but when we see Jesus face to face, we will be likened unto him, resurrected in his glory, and we will see our loved ones again, and rejoice, that we are home together forever. Lord I pray for the hurting right now who have lost loved ones. I pray you send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. You said you would not leave us comfortless, but you would send another comforter, even now Lord, send him. We thank you that one day we can see them again, but even more we thank you for the time we have left, for one, it means we have more work to do for you, and secondly, we have more chances to show those who mean most to us, how we love them. Help us lead the lost to you, draw them unto you Lord, so that not one would perish, but be brought into you love. Give us boldness to speak when we need to, and wisdom to be quiet when we don’t. In Jesus Name, Amen!