The Hardest Testimony of All

     “Simply put, it is not about do I believe in Christian doctrine concerning eternal life; but rather, am I going to live it.   There is a huge difference between believing a truth in its absence and living a truth in its presence.  Believing in eternity, when it is a million heartbeats away, and living the reality that eternity, for my loved one, began today are not one and the same.   Giving a loved one to God may only be possible to survive if we allow God to be closer to us than ever before.   I repeat, God, and God alone, can pull a grieving human heart out of grief’s quicksand pit.”

     Years ago, I penned these words when my Hubby went home to heaven.   Once more, I cling to them.  The greatest Father on earth, my Dad, has joined my Hubby in heaven.

     I’m not really prone to questioning God; but, on rare occasions, I have pathetically uttered, “are you sure I’m up to the challenge!!??”   Grief is one such tribulation.   No doubt about it, living through a loved one’s physical death tears our human hearts into pieces.   However, we, as Christians, are called to reveal our souls are clothed in the fabric of faith, unable to be torn, shredded or ripped apart – even by physical death.

     There is no greater time, than in worldly death, that a child of God can testify to the promise of eternal life.   Though our hearts are filled with loss, our souls must outcry our human sobs with choruses of heavenly gain.

     “Let go and let God” is a phrase we associate with challenges, dreams and situations – not with our loved ones.   None the less, is not the comfort of this utterance most needed in human death?   Christians are called to physically, and with hope, let go of loved ones’ bodily presence, knowing God, as promised, holds onto them forever in heaven.   We believe this, and the greatest way we can lead non-believers to Christ is to let go of being unable to move beyond worldly good byes and to faithfully and joyfully let God welcome our loved ones home to eternity – where they faithfully wait for us to someday joyfully join them for the happiest ever after.

     And so, my worldly days of walking next to the best Father God ever created have temporarily ended; but may my life, every day, testify that I completely know, believe and rejoice that when I, too, am called home to heaven, once more we will be side by side.   “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”  1Thessalonians 4:17 (ESV)     

     Till then, with tears in my heart and hope in my soul, Dad, I love you and miss you…