November 23, 2007

Let me be clear. I mean no disrespect to those who grieve. But I’ve wished that I could do what Jesus suggested and let the dead bury their own dead.

Today I assisted in a second memorial for my in-laws. It was meaningful and appreciated, valuable and needed. It brought together friends and family who couldn’t attend the first service.

But I would like to get on with life and not have to be reminded of the significance of this loss. It’s a challenge sometimes to know when we stop a healthy grieving process and start dredging up the past.

Today wasn’t close to being dysfunctional. There is such a thing as good grief. I just want to go home. After the service I stopped by the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and visited a friend.

I didn’t have to worry about the dredging past in that ICU room. There was more than enough ‘present’ to deal with. So many hoses and tubes shouldn’t go into one young body.
How do parents cope with such situations? I just want to go home.

Tomorrow I talk about the Experience of Salvation. It’s an awesome topic that I will enjoy illustrating. Walking with God is a tremendously rewarding journey. It makes me even more want to go home.

“I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John 15:15

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve