Death, Ressurection, and longing for heaven

It has been a tough month.

After the excitement of Oliver's birth, a week later Tim's last remaining Grandparent, his Pa, passed away.  It wasn't a shock (he's been in and out of hospital all summer), and it was a bit of a relief (he had just had a paralysing stroke), but it was still a very sad time.

His funeral particularly was very emotional.  While it was filled with joy over his life and the knowledge that he was with Jesus, there was so much other meaning behind it.  17 months earlier I had sat in the same Funeral home at Tim's Nana's funeral.  Tim's Nanny and Papa were there, and it was the last proper conversation I had with them before they died, 3 months later.  And, while I didn't know it for certain at the time, I was actually pregnant during her funeral, with the baby we would say goodbye to only 7 weeks later.

It has been a really rough 18 months.  Eighteen Months of Death.

So, as yesterday we celebrated Easter, I couldn't help thinking of what a miracle it is.

That there was a man, who was more than just a man.  That this man was so innocent and powerful that death could not beat him.  A man who now has power over death.  A man who promises that just as he was raised from death, so all who believe in him will rise.

Sitting at Pa's funeral, knowing that his race was run, knowing that he had gone to be with the savior that he loved and followed for so long, it is a great thing.  I almost felt a little jealous.

And during such tough times as these, what a great thing it is to know that death is mealy a small sleep on the way to eternity with Jesus.
Thank you Jesus for Easter.
BG

Sad and Romantic

On Valentines day this year, Tim's Nanny went to be with Jesus. Eleven days later, at 2am on the morning of Nanny's funeral, her husband, Tim's Papa went to join them.

I think one day I will be able to look back and realise what a precious reality this is. And as the two coffins, side-by-side, travelled off away from the funeral, was a really beautiful thing. It is romantic and beautiful that we were able to say goodbye together. It is amazing that after nearly 60 years together they were only separated for such a short time. One day we will look back and be thankful.

But at the moment we are all just too sad for that.

Papa had cancer, and he was fighting on for Nanny's sake, but once he knew she was okay, he moved on to palliative care. Nanny died at home in the arms of her daughter. Papa died in a hospital room with Tim's Dad, his son, beside him.

Death is so sad, and Tim and I feel we have had enough of it for one summer!

But it is a good reminder of the shortness of life and what really matters.

I don't know how I'd like to go. Part of me thinks it would be lovely to leave with Tim, and I struggle to think of living without him. But then I look at Tim's Pa, the only Grandparent left, and I see something noble and special about him too. Living on after his wives death in November, rejoicing in the chance he still has to look after his daughters, even as they try to look after him.

Bye Nanny and Papa. We love you, and we are so glad you are with Jesus now.
love B

Sad and happy

This morning we heard the news that Tim's Nanna passed away earlier today.

We are very sad for Pa, for ourselves, and particularly for Tim's Mum and her sister. We will all miss her terribly- Pa especially.

But in Bible study today we were talking about death- and I was reminded that I don't have to be sad for her.

We were reading the story of the Paralytic in Mark 2. We were reminded that while sickness and disease are bad- we all have a bigger problem- sin.

But we learnt that Jesus is the one who can deal with that sin.

Nanna trusted in Jesus. And so praise God- her biggest problem is solved. Her sin has been dealt with. She has gone from being God's enemy to God's beloved Daughter. And now she is with him forever- all the tears and pain and sadness is gone. Face to face.

Sad for us. Happy for her.
love B