Clearly, death is not God’s original plan. Confessing Sin to Others Is Terrifying (but Healthy), 5 Questions with Caleb Kaltenbach, a Pastor Raised by Gay Parents, Four Thankfulness Lessons From the Past Four Years, Why Comparing Our Struggles Is a Losing Game. But my uncle’s death hits closer to home. At the same time, it is true that those who know Christ grieve differently. But as I enjoyed the warmth and love of family, I would suddenly be reminded that one of us was missing. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15. We were designed for joy. A popular song in the 1940s went, "I've got you under my... 2. They speak a truth about Brian and about you. God’s provision is most obvious when we stop and look for it. What God creates God loves, and what God loves God loves everlastingly. And as often happens in life, the healing never comes. We are in the time of Jesus’ delayed coming. But isn’t it always? 25-26). 38-44). Instead, in the face of her sorrow and disappointment and in the face of death itself, Martha is called to have faith in Jesus as the Life-Giver who brings the ultimate healing of resurrection. Last week he passed away unexpectedly. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, Paul says (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). My family recently suffered the loss of my mother-in-law, a wonderful woman of God who was taken from us rather suddenly by pancreatic cancer. Then He calls her to believe in Him as the resurrection and the life (vv. Sign up now to stay informed about how God is working in New England. As I’ve sought to live in thankfulness the past four years, I’ve noticed a deep joy and peace take root in my heart. Despite the rich legacy Uncle Randy leaves, his death is still a horribly sad disruption — for those of us on earth. 38-44). “All deaths are sudden, no matter how gradual the dying may be.” We exist to multiply Christ-followers through partnering, equipping and encouraging the local church. “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose… Jesus balanced grief and faith. We are saddened and disappointed that our loved one was not healed, and yet Jesus holds out the hope of a future resurrection – a hope proved certain by the dramatic raising of Lazarus (vv. He’s only two years older than my dad. And nothing helps me stop and look like my thankfulness journal. Clearly, death is not God’s original plan. I couldn’t fully know the influence a long-distance uncle had in my life until he was gone. There are things that death cannot touch.” ― Jack Thorne 3. Since He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, wouldn’t it have been easier to call her to faith after the miracle? Known as Dr. Love, Buscaglia is a motivational speaker known for learning to love, … He was a teacher in the same community for many years, and his impact was widely felt. He never came home from work to the soup my aunt made for dinner. She graduated from Multnomah University with a degree in journalism and biblical theology. Perhaps part of this is that I have been fortunate to enjoy extended time with many of my relatives. As a result, Lazarus dies and is buried (vv. Dealing with death can be difficult. Let them echo through this day and carry you into the next. My first memories of my Uncle Randy involve camping. reflections which people have been searching for. Humans are not pure spirits such as angels. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. Jesus vaguely tells her that her brother will rise again, but He doesn’t tell her when (v. 23). She lives in California with her husband, Kevin, who is a family pastor, and her four young children: Josiah, Sadie, Amelia and Jackson. I celebrated Uncle Randy’s life with my family over the weekend, and while there were tears, there was also laughter. But it was a loss for those who love him — people like his devoted wife, three children, six grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews, and so many friends. 14, 17). 160 Powerful Quotes About Losing a Loved One and Coping 1. Loss of a Loved One. All of us who have lost loved ones to illness are in that in-between time period. My siblings and I would be just beginning to stir in our tent, and we would hear Randy rustling around in the campsite, … November 3, 2015. by.