Aug
15
2012
Let It Rain
Posted in Faith 4 Comments
My husband buried his mother today.
The weather forecast called for thunderstorms.
I sent a friend a text, while my husband drove this morning.
There should be a law…no rain on the day of a funeral!
The weather seemed to walk hand in hand with the mood.
We each had our umbrellas because as a son, my husband was a pallbearer.
It started to rain as we began our drive.
Dreary…but manageable.
As we were ready to leave the funeral home and drive to the church, it seemed as if the sky just opened up!
The parking lot was at a higher elevation than the front door, so we all had to walk up to get our cars.
As we were walking up, the water was pouring down…trying to find a non-existent storm drain to rush into…
My children were in a separate car…parked next to ours.
I actually walked with one of my husband’s cousins and shared my umbrella with him.
The water rushing down the hill was a fast moving stream!
In places, it was ankle deep!
There was nowhere to go…but through.
My dress was wet…my shoes were drenched.
My husband, who came to the car minutes later, despite his umbrella…was soaked.
There should be no rain on the day of a funeral.
Driving to the church was much of the same.
A sea of umbrellas…towels to dry off…men with their suit pants rolled up a bit.
The weather fit the mood!
Everyone was concerned about the cemetery.
How are we going to do this in the rain?
But as we all drove in a line…lights on…flashers blinking…it began to clear.
The rain stopped…the sun began to peek through.
Grace!
The day was hard enough already…as all of the sons said goodbye to their mother.
The day was lonely…as the daughters realized they were the women of the family now.
The day was expected…she died of a broken heart…one of her sons said.
Seven months after she lost her husband of sixty two years.
End of an era!
New chapter to begin…
Nowhere to go…but through!
Therefore everyone who hears these word of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Destructive streams cannot destroy a house built on rock!
That house will stand because it has a good foundation.
It doesn’t wobble in adversity.
It doesn’t crash in catastrophe.
It quietly…resolutely…stands!
They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:3,4)
Houses built on rocks…stand.
Houses built on The Rock stand…secure!
Rain that falls as fresh rain is cleansing…thirst quenching.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1)
God’s grace…falling like fresh rain.
We should pant for the water that only He can give.
We should pray that a deluge of His Living Water flows down.
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7:38)
Streams coming down.
Streams flowing from within.
A deluge of grace.
Let it rain!
Had to write. . . just to say thank you for expressing so eloquently what we have been through ourselves with three of our four parents. Only Mom Eck is left. . . turning 90 on August 31st. . . so anxious to go home to her Savior. It is so difficult to part with each one that leaves us whether family or dear friend. . . .but in thinking about it. . . it just makes the phrase “home with Jesus” even sweeter! Praying for you and the family!
Thank you, Nancy.
I am sorry for your loss as well.
But what a celebration of a life lived 90 years…yet longing for her Lord…and Home!
Oh, for the day when He will wipe away every tear…
Gina
Beautifully written! I am so sorry for your loss, it does sound like she had a broken heart. It must be a very difficult time for Michael. I will keep him and your family lifted up in my prayers. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for your prayers, Tristie.
Michael’s Mom had health issues…but she did seem to give up after his father died.
Ultimately, it is God who decides the number of our days.
I pray, as we all press on, we discern what God would have us learn through all of this.
God is sovereign.
He can be trusted…with our hearts and with our lives.
Gina