One of my best friends texted me this evening. She asked if I was okay. She was just checking in on me. My mom died two weeks ago and my mom was the best, so my friend thought she better check. I told her I had had a couple of down days, just feeling low, but that I was good. I’m good for a couple of reasons. Number one, because my mom was one of the most faithful people I’ve ever known. I know that her eternity was settled long before she left this earth. I know that whatever the process is to get there, she is wrapped in the loving arms of Jesus until the end of… forever. Knowing that makes letting go so much easier because I’m so happy for her. As the bible says, it’s literally impossible to imagine how amazing it is. But, it’s still tremendously difficult to be on this rock without her. She was a light. She did what she was called to do. She was bright and gentle and lovely and peaceful and patient and kind and joyful and had self control. She was the hub of our family and we are all in a state of numbness without her. But we’re also good because we know we’ll see her again.
I told my friend I don’t know how people who don’t have God in their life could do it. That would be so horrible. She responded that she’d thought about that herself and that she was happy we’d never have to find out. I pray for anyone reading this that you don’t have to find out either.
I’m fortunate. I was raised around good Christian people. The kind who mean it and live it. I don’t know what life is like to not have heard bible stories as a child or to be completely ignorant to the greatest story ever told. I’ve wondered what it would feel like to come to Christ as an adult. It seems like it would be strange to wrap your mind around if you hadn’t been introduced to it earlier. I’m okay with not knowing. What I do know is that however you come to invite Christ into your life, after that point, you’re never alone again. The holy spirit lives inside you and is accessible all the time. Sometimes quietly but always there. That’s how you know whether or not someone has ever really invited God into their life. Once he’s there, he’s there. You can’t unknow what you now know.
If you’re someone who’s struggling, who wants somewhere to turn with your frustrations or sorrows or disappointments or anxiety, he’s the answer. He’s the answer every time, in every situation, at every moment, of every day. You can cast your cares on him and he can and will take them if you’re willing to truly and faithfully part with them. If you’ve never opened the bible, or have but never really read it, I encourage you to do it now. There are so many resources available to help you not only read it but understand it. Like I said, I was raised surrounded by the word. But I never really studied it until I was an adult. I wish I had started earlier because truly understanding it brings so much clarity and hope and peace. It goes beyond human understanding. I want that for you. He wants that for you. He wants a relationship with you. Just answer the call you’re being given.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is from yourselves, it is the gift of God – Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
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P.S. My mom said she’ll send butterflies.
