is an amazing concept. It is one that has no boundaries. We are called to honor God, our parents, our leaders, our friends, our families - those with us and those gone before us.
And honor is something that I think of often. I think of my son and I long to honor his life. I long to honor my God and the opportunity he gave me to know and name Zach.
I think of the times when I have felt offended because someone has said or done something that has indicated that because of my loss they have approached life differently. While I know in my heart that this is the most flattering thing I will ever experience... I have to be honest and say that it bothers me sometimes. Because Jesus conquored death we celebrate, we remember, we live. To honor my son, is to say that because of his LIFE we approach our lives differently.
I encourage anyone who reads this... many of us are connected in our grief, in our loss. Never forget that one of the sweetest gifts you give someone who has experienced loss is the offer of a memory or a random mention of their name. A moment in which you help celebrate life. Those moments... are indescribable to me.
And as always a song. Mighty to Save. My favorite version is by Michael W Smith - which I don't have - but my favorite part of the song...
Take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrendor, I surrendor
Savior He can move the mountains
My god is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquored the grave
Jesus conquored the grave
We wrestled with what to put on Zach's tombstone for a while. If I had known this song I would have had it sung at every funeral. But then again, maybe not. This song speaks to my heart in this moment. Sweet truth of my life... Jesus take my fears and failures and fill my life again. Hug my baby. Teach me to accept the love being sent my way from friends, family, you and Zach. Because your son died and conquored the grave.... I will someday hold him again.
2 comments:
Thank you for this post.
Jantina,
I just received the link to your blog from Andrea Hydeen (I roomed with her sister Maria in college). A little over a month ago, we lost my nephew, Cornelius (Case) John Brewer to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He was 10 months and 10 days old. This is the first and only post I've read so far on your blog but I look forward to reading more as this one has touched me deeply, and maybe sharing your blog with my sister, Ashley as well.
I pray this for my sister daily and for you also I pray that the words of Ephesians 3 would be true: I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
~
Robyn Hoekstra
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