On the One Year Anniversary of Jackie’s Homegoing: Should I rejoice over my loss? No, I don’t think so! But is this an incredibly precious opportunity to grow? Definitely!
It will be a year on Saturday August 23rd since Jackie went home to be with the Lord. It has been a difficult and painful year, which has become less and less difficult as He has led me through a healing process. I have begun some new initiatives in my life that I am excited about but I am not sure I am ready to rejoice!
Well, actually, the Word does not say to rejoice over what has happened. Neither God nor I rejoices over the death of one of His saints rather the Word says it is ‘precious in His sight’ (Psalm 116:15). God’s original plan was not for people to die. Death is as a result of the introduction of sin into the world. Therefore, God is not complacent and comfortable with death and is eager for the Day when He wipes it out.
But, as I said, the death of one of His saints is precious in His sight. When one of His children dies He pays special attention and welcomes them directly into His presence and into their new existence free of pain and sin and free to fellowship with Him.
And for those of us that remain, we are to ‘rejoice in our sufferings’. Why? Because, as Roman 3:5-6 says, ‘…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy spirit, whom He has given us’.
In other words, we are to use our suffering, by God’s grace, as a time of personal growth in which we ultimately experience an abundance of God’s love poured into our hearts.
I have slowly begun to realize, that though I am not happy about my loss and I wish this pain would go away, God desires to develop my character, hope in Him and a heart full of the love of God. This became very clear to me when I took a personal retreat weekend on my birthday a month or so ago. On the retreat it believe I heard God say to me, “At age 64, Fred, I have given you an incredible opportunity to grow and change”. While I could not have heard or accepted that message last fall I am seeing now, that among the many things that God is weaving into His tapestry through Jackie’s homegoing, there is for me an incredibly, powerful impetus to grow and become all that I can be before I too go home.
I must take full advantage of the pain, the tears, the crying out to the Lord, the softening of my heart and the desperate need I have for Him. And indeed, Lord, that’s what I intend to do by cooperating with you and not fighting against you. - Fred
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4 comments:
Fred,
Randall & I always pray for your spirit. You have blessed us with your incredible insights once again.
We miss Jackie too. She was my first introduction into friendship at Hillcrest.
You have come a long way in a year. God bless you.
Susie
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement Susie and Randall. Jackie was an example to me in the way she reached out and befriended as well as in many other ways in which she walked with the Lord.
Fred, You are always an encouragment to me. Allowing the Lord to use the most painful events of your life to mold you into reflecting him more and more...that takes guts and tenacity. To face each feeling with the assurance that the God who created them, will be with you as you feel them and will not let you be overcome...You are a conqueror in His name. You are a gem of priceless value. You are a man after the heart of God and I pray for you constantly. Thank you for doing the same for me...
~Peggy
Fred, I'll be praying for you this weekend, as you travel and reflect on the past year & more. I have seen incredible strides in you through the past year, and enjoy continuing to watch you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I relish the wisdom you share through your writing & from our conversations. Continue in Him so that when He appears, you may be bold & unashamed before Him at his coming!
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