We Groan and Are Burdened
The last few weeks have been an emotional time for me and I have tried to take my mind off the inevitable. My Papaw is passing; slowly, he is passing from this miracle of a life on earth to be in the glorious presence of our Heavenly Father. You see, no matter how many times I tell myself that I will see him again in what will seem like a wisp of time, I am still bothered by the fact that my life as I know it is being altered, that my Papaw will not be in his proper place here with me. I know it sounds selfish and it is. What my spirit wants to do is jump and down and sing praises to our Father when he takes my Papaw Home. What my flesh wants to do is wallow in the sadness that I will no longer be able to touch his face. The one thing I have always loved to do is kiss his cheek and tell him I love him.
Last night I spent the night with my Papaw. He slept and I watched him and read my Bible. I pray before I read. I ask that our Father show me the scripture in His Word that I was to read and learn from. Last night after having a battle of wits with my Papaw on how we were going to get him out of the hospital and back to his "home", God gave me this... 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10
Our Heavenly Dwelling
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Not only did I cry because I knew God was listening to me and HE revealed what I needed to read at that moment, but I cried as a release. His comfort was provided and my heart released the burden of sadness and worry. God is going to win battle of worry on our spirits, we just need to ask Him too. I prayed after reading God's gift to me that He give my Papaw peace and to send his Angels to be with him. I believe He did better than that... take a look...
I looked up and noticed on my Papaws' "vitals" board that his caregiver for the night was CHRIST! It was no mistake that those letters were not erased from his board with the other information. You'd better believe I took a picture. This is my assurance that God is with my Papaw in his time of need. I then spent many hours in God's Word last night, which was something I'd needed to do.
People have been known to pay $$$$$ for toast that has the image of Christ burned onto it or some other odd thing but I tell you now. there is no amount of money in the world that could have bought this moment from me. The moment that "Christ" revealed Himself to me; that I was not alone in that room with my Papaw, I was comforted and could then rejoice.
We long to be in God's presence. We long to meet him and to stand before him and to run to the arms of Jesus but I tell you, He is with us now. As long as we realize that he is next to us at all times, we will then start to turn to Him, talk to Him, ask Him for help, and LOVE Him with all of our soul, heart and mind above all things. We do not have to long for His presence among us, He is here waiting on each and every one of us to simply know that He is who He is. I have moments and days were I do not turn to Him and show Him Love as I should and then...
...then I am reminded that my God is everywhere and that He reveals himself to me in many ways every day
I understand exactly what you are saying. I lost my Papa almost exactly a year ago. I still miss him more than I can say. I still cry sometimes. Yet I KNOW with undeniable assurance that because Christ lives I will see my Papa again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all your thoughts from this encounter with our Heavenly Father. God is so good to show Himself in His Word to you and in the surroundings and your comfort is His Pleasure because you turned to Him.
ReplyDeleteHeaven becomes more and more real as we know more and more precious ones there.
ps
So sorry about your pawpaw, but isnt it amazing how God lets us know he is with us when we most need him. I will be praying for you and your family during this time. Call me if you need me ...love ya girl
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post and reminds us all that He is with us always and through everything.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post and reminds us all that He is with us always and through everything.
ReplyDelete