Going On

Dad was first to go in our family. A shocking heart attack and he was gone. Just 60, Dad was pressured with life, and working hard to provide for all of us, could not find enough relief. He suffered only a few days of abject pain, then went.

Dad was a religious man, but perhaps not a saved man. He made a confession of belief in those final moments before death at the leading of Mom and daughter. I was not present. I firmly trust to see Dad again in heaven; God is a merciful Savior. I am anxious to see both Dad and Savior.

Twenty two years later, Josh followed Dad. At twenty five, it surprised us all. In fact it redefined the thought of “surprise,” it was beyond belief. Out of place and out of time, our oldest son left us behind for heavenly dwelling.

It destroyed hope, and faith — and love, for many days. The world turned sour, no cheer was allowed. Every successive event, circumstance, or season was covered with dark gray and that lasted a few years. Eventually, joy returned. God did it.

Mom had her turn a short few years after. Mom had found Christ at an older age. She prayed for us all. Her heart gave out at seventy nine. I missed her but mostly felt regret at our years of straining. All will be well when we meet again.

Abba, Father. we have come under your care. Thankfully, We are the children of God.

It is Father who proclaimed in Isaiah,   “I, even I, am he that blotts out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

 “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” . None could,  “But, there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Psalm 130

“He (Father), hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalm” 103:10.

Friends, “as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is Father’s mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:11-13 

Micah 7:18 says it well, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. “

And, Psalm 103:14  “…He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” 

Many near deaths came also. Brain cysts, cancer, heart blockages. For these, we watched Christ suffer, to the point of death. Ephesians 2:13 tells us, “…now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Yes, Christ’ suffering brought us to the Father.

In fact, ‘…we are (now), members of Christ’ body, of his flesh, and of his bones. ” Ephesians 5:30. Joined to Christ in vital union, His death has become our death, His burial ours, His resurrection — gloriously ours too! Father sees us in His Son. Death is over, has lost it’s sting, can no longer carry the weight of fear that it had.

Lastly, We have received the precious Holy Spirit. He is the guide to all truth. We  “Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 What is this unity?

Well, Ephesians 2:18  “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Through Our union with Christ we have access to Father, by one Spirit. He is The Comforter, the Teacher, the Convincer, the illuminator of truth; and He lives in us to commune with our spirit, and all becomes real to us, by Him.

Friends, fears may come and go, grief and pain. Suffering has many forms. Father knows our frame of dust. However, The Spirit will witness to our spirit. We are children of God. Love ya