This morning, at 8:53 AM, my Dad left this earth, bound for Someplace Far Better.
The feelings, emotions, and words are still hard to form in my mind. But there is this one word, this one feeling. It has been growing from a distant whisper into a bold headline over the life of our family in these recent days.
The word, feeling, and experience is Grace.
Theological types will tell you that the definition of grace is essentially unmerited favor. Perhaps they will remind you that grace is God's free action for the benefit of His people. Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. In grace we get eternal life, something that, quite obviously, because we are goof-ups by nature, we do not deserve. But because of God's love and kindness manifested in Jesus, we receive the great blessing of redemption.
I have been overwhelmed by grace this past week. Its hard to get into words just yet, but I will. I have to. I must tell this story, as I have experienced it.
Amazing Grace.
3 comments:
Steve, I am sorry for your loss and yet, even in sorrow, there is joy in the thought and knowledge of the grace you talk about and that we rely upon so greatly.
Our God is a wonderfully loving Father. May He truly comfort you at this time and in these moments of personal loss.
"To comfort all who mourn,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
Oh wow. Steve.
This is so surprising and I feel it much more personally having been with you all just last week when there was no hint of his quick decline. May love and peace surround you both - You and Nancy get a "well done" for your care and nurturing of your dad.
Peace and love to you, friend.
Julie
Steve,
At times such as this my Pastor often quotes Vance Havner, who at the time of his wife's passing was much consoled by his congregants with "So sorry for your loss." Ever the teacher, he eventually had to correct them with this jewel, "If you know where a thing is, you have not lost it."
I pray this is comfort for you.
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