Last evening my heart was full of emotions as I sorted through the day’s events…..
Yesterday afternoon I heard from a dear friend telling me her mother had passed. I was reminded of all the sadness, the emptiness, and the pain of grief. I saw her Facebook post with photos of her mother, Trudy, recalling a life well lived. My heart ached for my friend.
A couple hours later I heard from another dear friend. Her first grandchild had just entered the world. Once again, I was reminded of the happiness, the promise, and the wonder of new life. I looked at the picture she shared with me…..faces glowing with joy and a sweet new baby. My heart rejoiced for my friend.
The irony of these events was not lost…..learning of a death and a new life within hours…..the heartache and the joy…..
I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die…..
But as I pondered on all of this, I realized there were two celebrations of new life yesterday. When we fully rely on God’s promises, we know that a sweet new baby began his life here on earth, but sweet Trudy also began life in her eternal home. Oh, that glorious moment when Trudy entered into the presence of God…..free of pain, free of fear, free of illness…..to live forever more in His kingdom.
As believer and followers of the Almighty, we have the reassurance that life doesn’t end here on earth. I recently read in a Mitch Albom book the following – “When people leave this earth, their loved ones always weep, but I promise you, those who leave do not weep.”
Today I will give thanks and celebrate my friend’s new grandchild. I will also give thanks for Trudy’s earthly life, for the mother she was to my friend, and I will give thanks and celebrate her heavenly homecoming.
Thank you, Lord, for each season…..