Last week was a difficult one for our entire family, yet in the midst of feeling the weight of loss was the comfort that togetherness brings. Within that togetherness was the reality that life is a gift and it must be celebrated.
It is truly amazing how a significant loss gives you a clearer perspective in what you thought you understood and appreciated. Admittedly, it is not until afterward that you truly perceive its importance to you. When it comes to a person you love it is enormously painful to even fathom the idea that you took their being around for granted. We are often lulled into believing they will always be there because they always have been!
As a family, we seek to acknowledge what is good. Consequently, our sadness is always bolstered by joy that we allow to prevail. Even as we respectively celebrated our oldest sister’s passing into eternal life, we were not going to miss out on recognizing the 60th birthday of our youngest sister which is today.
We all know that life and death are in the power of the tongue. This we did as we spoke life in the mist of the physical death, and then our decree of life was evident as we recognized 60 years of living. It is about speaking life to death, and life to life. It is so incredibly simple. We recognize that because of Jesus, death no longer has that sting, we are alive and it gives us joy!
We who remain must go live with joy and in abundance!
Nehemiah 8:10 CSB Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because your strength comes from rejoicing in the Lord.”