He Makes Beautiful Things

Christmas Eve my husband's oldest sister suffered a stroke.  We visited her in the hospital on Saturday before New Year's Eve and we both expressed concern that she was dying unless there was a miracle.  Needless to say, we both left that hospital with heavy hearts and a prayer on our lips.  

Monday morning at about 5:15 a.m. the call came that we all dread.  They were moving her into ICU and all the family was called in.  For you that have lost loved ones, you know the routine.  Family and close friends sit in the waiting room waiting for their time to go in and spend a few minutes, say a prayer, and hope for a miracle.  

On New Year's Day her children were standing around her bed.  One daughter was brushing her hair back, her only son was tightly holding her hand, her other daughter was standing on the opposite of the bed, holding her other hand.  Christian music was playing as her grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of other family members were gathered around watching.  Although there was extreme sadness, there was also a serene peace.  

As I watched, I thought about how short life really is.  Someone said life is the dash between the year we're born and the year we die that is etched on our tombstones.  The Bible says man's life is like a vapor and also compares it to a flower in the field.  Life starts as a seed, then a sprout, then the leaves appear, then the bloom itself, beautiful and full grown.  Then the flower begins to fade, to eventually wither and die.  That's life.  The Bible also says the place where it once was is remembered no more. 

Standing there I thought about life.  We're here today and gone tomorrow.  It never ceases to amaze me, but it was so wonderful to see the lives that her life had touched.  You could also feel the love in the room.  She truly loved her children and grandchildren.  If you talked with her long, you knew this was a fact.  She went to church every Sunday and   gave to those in need.  I watched the tears in her families eyes.  I saw them bend down and kiss her cheek.  I heard the words softly spoken many times, "Mama, or Granny, I love you."  

As I stood there, I thought this is what life is all about.  It's loving and giving.  It's not about how much wealth or fame you can obtain, it's about loving God and loving others.  

My husband spoke at the funeral.  We did not discuss what he would talk about.  But the day before the funeral, I was thinking, if I were speaking I would talk about the Proverbs 31 woman.  She grew up poor, worked hard all her life, didn't have much education, but she was a woman who loved the Lord.  When my husband started speaking, the first words out of his mouth was, "I want to talk about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31." I thought how appropriate this was.  Life is not about beauty either.  The Bible says beauty is deceitful and it fades.  "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Proverbs 31:30

As she expelled her last breath, I believe that was her soul winging it's way back to the Father, the Creator and Giver of life.  Life can be a beautiful thing and yes, we can be victorious even in death, but only if we know the Lord.  He makes all things beautiful in His time.

(This Blog is dedicated to the life and memory of Lucille Moore who passed away from this earth and entered Heaven on January 1, 2013 forever to be in the presence of the Lord!)