Author

What do you post about when you lose two loved ones in one week? With two friends losing earthly battles with cancer, and the tragedy in Haiti, the challenges of a housewife hardly seem worthy of a post.

The Great Author picks up His pen and jots words, circumstances ordained and beyond my understanding, used to eternally impact my faith.

He is the Author and finisher of my faith. And when earth suffers great loss as two great men meet their Maker, you want their impact to forever be etched in your heart.

My friend, Erin, along with two sons, saw the Lord answer prayers that her husband’s seven year battle with brain cancer would come to an end and that he would be healed. And he was… fully restored as he was ushered into Heaven on Wednesday, and now stands before the Lamb of God and gives praise for the healing that he received both physically and spiritually. I know that Erin mourns the loss of her husband, and would certainly have preferred he be healed on earth. But she rejoices because she is sure that he is now in heaven.

I was so challenged by his service on Saturday. The challenge to live life to the fullest, to be joyful and loving, and realize my abundance. The challenge to grow in my dependence on the Lord by spending time with Him daily. My prayer is that the Author would make this true of me, too, that it would be written into my character. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Though I fully realize that the only way that we can have eternal life is by believing in Christ, I often forget that He came that I might have life here on earth abundantly.

My cousin, John, also passed into eternity on Monday. My sentiments were so eloquently summarized by my Aunt Joni,

“John died peacefully after a valiant fight. All machines and medicines were disconnected, he took a last breath, and then John rode on angel wings to stand before the throne of God. Those of us who loved him prayed him over the Great Divide, both jealous and devastated as we stay behind.
Frederick Buechner calls people of God "connoisseurs of sorrow," for we are alive through the depth of Christ's suffering borne out of love for us. Today and for the foreseeable future, we wrap sadness around like a cloak. At the very same time, we are people of hope. Christ came to bring eternal life of abundant delight. To this promise we cling. O death, where is thy sting? Seems like everywhere we look at this moment. But a new tomorrow will dawn in which there is no sorrow or crying. For that day we wait.” -Joni Powers, Caring Bridge Site

I desire that my character in God’s great novel live each day here on earth with fullness and purpose. I want to glorify the Lord through every trial with joy and patience. My prayer is that when I breathe my last and enter eternity, that others would be touched by my life like these young men impacted mine.