Friday, March 20, 2015

The Best is Yet to Come


John 12:24
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

We struggle with death and dying.  We want to live.  We want those we love to live.  It's in our nature.  But . . . This is not the end.  It's just the beginning, and the best is yet to come for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ!  So . . . Even though we are dying, even though those we love are, we must live! ~Dusty Rayburn at Devoted Conversations 

Thursday, March 19th, marked the one year anniversary of my father's passing.  I haven't stopped missing him.  I haven't stopped grieving his loss.  That he was a caring, loving, selfless man who successfully made friends out of would-be enemies during his career speaks volumes to the influence of his Christian upbringing.  Speaks volumes to me today as I try, in my own small way, to encourage and inspire others as he encouraged and inspired me, the daughter always standing in awe of his grace and strength.

I know as I write these words, there are many of you out there who have lost beloved friends and family members.  You miss them every day and long for the reunion in heaven which seems so far away.  Perhaps, like me, you are wishing the years with your loved ones were spent with more care, more attentiveness, and with more thankfulness for their irreplaceable presence.

Because now, they are sorely missed . . . 

I so miss my Daddy.

I long to talk with him as we did before Alzheimer's robbed him of his acumen and wisdom.

I drift upon memories, recollecting the stories he concocted when my brother and I were small, stories which were the catalyst for many of our childhood games.  Stories which, many years later, became the foundation for The Glade Series.

I reminisce about the times I made Dad proud and the times I tried his patience (That was hard to do!).  I remember the so, so many times his accomplishments made my heart swell with pride for him.  And if I close my eyes and sit in silence, I can still hear his gentle voice as if he is right beside me, assuring me that all is well and all will be well.

For as Dusty writes:  This is not the end.  It's just the beginning, and the best is yet to come for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ!

I miss you, Daddy.

I love you.

And one day, I will see you again.

Because the best is yet to come . . . 

Prayer:  Father, please comfort those who are grieving the loss of a loved one today.  Fill them with Your grace, peace and mercy.  Hold them close in Your loving embrace.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Meditations of My Heart will be on a two-week hiatus beginning next week.  Your prayers are much appreciated as I will attempt to complete my novel sequels during this time.  May God bless you and may your Easter celebration be filled with joy!

23 comments:

  1. My mother died in February of last year; we had her memorial service in March. The best is yet to come.

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  2. Martha, thank you for sharing your heart--grieving is hard work, indeed! For those of us who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, the best is yet to come! Several years ago, I developed (and gave) a sermon titled "The Best is Yet to Come".

    Love and blessings!

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    1. How wonderful that you wrote and gave a sermon with this same title, Kim! Awesome!
      Grieving isn't easy, but I've learned since losing my former husband that it is a process. When we remember the Lord is walking through it with us, we can make the journey and know the best is yet to come.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. A thoughtful and wonderful tribute. Reminds me to hug the ones we still have and love the presence too.

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  4. My mother went to be with Jesus in 2004 after a real short battle with a rare form of cancer. I look forward to seeing her someday.

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    1. So sorry you lost your mother, Bill, but what a blessing to know she is with the Lord and pain-free.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Thinking of you, praying for you and wishing you continued healing, Martha. YOur post is a good reminder to be more thankful and appreciative of the people we do have in our lives now. Let's not miss them later - let's bond with them stronger today. Message received:)

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    1. Yes, let's spend more meaningful time with those we love right here, right now. Thank you, Vishnu, for your prayers for healing. It will all be well in time.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. I think it does get easier with time a little...still there are days, like the anniversary of their deaths, their birthdays, holidays...and just random moments when the sadness is simply overwhelming. My Dad has been gone 11 years yesterday, and my mom will have been gone 22 years in August. Sometimes it seems like it was simply a lifetime ago when they were here, then other days like yesterday when their loss is as raw and devastating as the day they left. You never really ever stop missing them.

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  7. I think it does get easier with time a little...still there are days, like the anniversary of their deaths, their birthdays, holidays...and just random moments when the sadness is simply overwhelming. My Dad has been gone 11 years yesterday, and my mom will have been gone 22 years in August. Sometimes it seems like it was simply a lifetime ago when they were here, then other days like yesterday when their loss is as raw and devastating as the day they left. You never really ever stop missing them.

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    1. Kathy, you have truly made me grateful here that I still have my mother and had my Dad for so many years. Time will make things easier, I know, but as you expressed here, you never stop missing a loved one. Thanks for sharing here, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Heaven becomes sweeter as our loved ones take up residency. Also it reminds us to make our days count for Him. Lovely post.

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    1. Amen, Betty. Heaven will be a sweet place of reunion.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. I still miss my mom. So many times I'd love to sit and chat once again. Rev and I had a friend who faithfully reminded us that one of the glories of heaven will be, "no more good-bye." Praise to the One who makes it possible. Blessings to you Martha!

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    1. "No more good-bye" - I love that, Deb! Yes, may we praise Him for His goodness and His glory.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. I also lost my dad a year ago - January 16th. And yes, I miss him so. But, as I also had to watch him decline into dementia (and forget who I was in the process), I am so glad to know that he is fully restored now. I eagerly look forward to seeing him again.

    Love this quote from C.S. Lewis, "The Last Battle":

    "But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

    Oh yes!!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Oh, what a wonderful quote from C. S. Lewis you've shared here, Sharon! He is one of my favorite authors by far, and this provides the perfect words of comfort.
      So sorry you recently lost your father to dementia - it is so painful to watch someone suffer through it. But, yes, we will see our dads again one day, and that is the good news!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Hi Martha! I am just stopping by to wish you a Happy Easter. May God abundantly bless you and yours in the holy season.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you, Ceil! Hope your Easter was wonderful, too. I am feeling so blessed right now, busy but blessed! :)
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Hi Martha! I am just stopping by to wish you a Happy Easter. May God abundantly bless you and yours in the holy season.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

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