Funerals

This afternoon I attended the funeral of a wonderful man from our church who passed away suddenly last Saturday afternoon at the age of 54. It was an afternoon mixed with laughter (of wonderful memories shared by many who loved him), and many, many tears for the loss felt by us all. Death really makes you put your life back in perspective. I've really been working lately at keeping my life in perspective, not sweating the small stuff, enjoying every moment, living in the moment. I couldn't help but put myself in the place of the poor kids of this man who are my age, and now have lost their dad. My father lost his dad as well when he was around my age (actually younger than I am now). I cannot imagine losing a parent right now. I'm not sure how I would handle it. It would be SO difficult.

As a believer, I believe that death is not the end. That it is in fact the beginning of what we were actually created for...it's a 'going home' to be with our real "Father". I can't imagine how difficult death must be for people who don't believe in the afterlife, or in God. To think that life on earth is all there is, must be very sad. Personally, I think life on earth is pretty crappy. Don't get me wrong, it has it's moments of pure joy, but it is always tainted with fears, pain, sadness, loneliness and a feeling of not being content somehow. Just look at all the crap in the world. This guy who's roaming around Huron County killing people, those sickos I see on Dateline NBC on "To Catch a Predator". It's not a pretty world. It's nothing CLOSE to the beauty and contentment I look forward to in my real home; heaven. The following verse has really spoken to me lately:

1 Cor. 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known"

I think this is one of the most beautiful verses in the bible. It's so amazing to know that we are FULLY known by God, and He loves us no matter what we've done. It's so incredible that someday "when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears" and that I will see God face to face and be able to know Him fully as well. Can you imagine this?! When I'm feeling far from God, or I lose my perspective I often think back to that moment last June when I looked into God's eyes through my sister-in-law Kathy (see previous post...not sure what it is called). That was my 'glimpse'. That's what I hold on to when I'm not 'feeling' God close by. Knowing that someday I will be able to baske in that love...completely free, completely content, in God's presence.

So you see why death for me, is not something that I fear. The rotten thing about death is that it leaves holes in the people left behind. I've often thought of making a recording to play at my funeral telling everyone to stop crying and celebrate with me that I'm home. I would love for my funeral to be a celebration, a big party. I wonder if after we're gone we get to watch our funeral from above. It would be so cool to see all of the people who gather to pay tribute to you, but it would also be sad to see everyone so sad.

So yes, for me, death isn't something I fear. But I fear losing my loved ones. I suppose it's selfishness that makes me want to avoid that separation from loved ones. I've never been good at saying goodbye, but I believe for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ it's not goodbye, but only "see ya later", and that is the greatest comfort I could ever know.

Melanie