Family and The Presence of Eternity- Scary or Delightful?
I’m noticing a shift in my perspective of ‘dying’ as well as in the power of belonging. Let me tell you an ongoing story.
Yesterday was the 1st anniversary of my mom’s home going. Yep. She has been in a different dimension of life for a full year! With our incomprehensible God! With my dad and so many others who are special to her. Including dear Zachi, her grandson who was born 7 years ago this past Sat. and joined her the end of last year. These anniversaries bring eternity to the forefront of my thinking. What delight is happening up there? Events that cannot be compared to the joy and suffering we have at this present time.
Eternity has also been grabbing my attention through the near death of an uncle who is very special to me. Uncle Bud. He and Aunt Ann have tucked my brother, his kids and I ‘under their wing’ in a special way since mom died. We are now ‘their kids’. My cousin Jan is naming us brother and sister. It is unfamiliar and thus unsettling in a wonderful kind of way!
Last week-end, my brother, Jim, traveled to South Carolina with 5 year old Lucas to visit Uncle Bud, Aunt Ann, and cousins Jan and Leroy. Uncle Bud seemed to be doing just fine other than the usual signs of becoming elderly. He taught Lucas how to ‘cast a line’ fishing and took him on tractor rides around the big yard. The video clips show a boy who is ‘in heaven’. Lucas gladly accepts Uncle Bud’s claims on him as a grandson. Absolutely he wants to be included in such love and attention! Lucas has never had a grandfather before and already one can see him thriving in this new relationship. Yay for Papa Bud!
Then life took a sharp turn and Uncle Bud is hospitalized with internal bleeding! Without going into the ups and downs of the roller coaster, Fri. night the doctors predicted he had only a couple hours to live.
For certain, there were many of us who were asking our Father for the favor of more time with Bud. For there to be a turnaround. And to all our amazement- (yes, I admit it) our Father answered this request with an ‘OK’ and I’m sure a big smile.
Bud is still in intensive care with some complications, but the bleeding has disappeared (?!) and there are encouraging signs from the perspectives of the doctors. They now predict more life for him at his current address. Only God!
Yes, LIFE is in the air. Another reason we were asking God for the favor of more time on this side of eternity is that Uncle Bud is going to become a grandfather the end of next month! Jan and Leroy are adopting a little bundle of Boy-Joy! As he was gaining clarity of mind back, Bud voiced “I have six weeks.” When asked what he meant his response was “Six weeks till the baby arrives. I have to work towards getting better.”
Wow! Grasping the significance of loving bonds is more easily done in the contrast of the possible deprivation brought on by death!
Family has been coming together in meaningful ways over there in South Carolina as well as over the airways. Intertwined in the fear of death is a theme of enjoyment and love.
Here is my growing shift in perspective on eternity. Which ever dimension we live in!
Isn’t it often the case that the essence of death and loss is often our motivation for pursuing connection? Fear is a powerful motivator! Yet love is a more delightful and life-giving one!
When death is in the air, it is easy for the focus to become the need to ‘set things right, or else…!’ With people as well as with God. There is some truth in this. But it is not fear that brings us to deep repentance. It is the goodness of God. It is the delight that comes in the relationship of love! Rather than needing to ‘get right with God’ so as to not live in His rejection or disapproval, wouldn’t it be so much more inviting to recognize the delight of belonging to a loving Papa who wants to bring us into the family and love on us?
It is time to celebrate! More life, family and love is being displayed on this dimension of eternity- that will go on forever!
— Maribeth
May 30th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Thank you for your encouraging report on how your family is being touched by the hand of God. Wow!
I will be praying for Uncle Bud. It is really neat to hear how belonging is being created in your family and how God is moving. Please do keep us posted!