Peace to Survive the Wait

We all have losses, many losses, relatives, people we loved, who were gifts to our lives, with whom we lived or at least whose edges of our lives touched and connected for little or much time. They teach us that life here on Earth is short, and, even so, we need not take that as a cause for alarm. We all have our allotted time among the living alongside us as we breathe and occupy these bodies. We see the evidence of the brevity of natural life as we pass the many rows of stones of remembrance on our way in and out of the business district of our city. We remember the lives we shared when they were with us. We say, "Hi, Daddy, I know you are not there, but I'm thinking of you. I love you and I hope to see you again soon." We believe differently about these things, but if God is the maker of us all would it not surprise us if we share some of these same longings, these same hopes, these same what some would call delusions? We wonder about our loved ones who have gone on before us. Do they think of us? Do they watch over us? Are they even aware of us? Do they still pray for us? Are they waiting for us? Are they looking for us? Will they be glad to see us again? I believe they will be glad to see us again. I believe we are connected to them in our hearts, our spirits, forever. When I think of my grandparents, I look forward to seeing them again, I think of them every day, more and more as the years go by. I believe they are with the Lord. I believe they are with Jesus. They were not perfect, maybe some more perfect than others, but I believe the promises in the Bible. There are some people I am not sure where they went when they died. I like to think some time before they breathe their last that God gives them another chance to receive his grace and mercy and they will be saved "as if by fire." When someone loses the love of their life it is not a small thing that they must endure for some time yet, the timing being of God's choosing. When we lose someone we love, there is no more turning back, no more reconciling, no more making amends or coming together in agreement. At that point it is all beyond our reach, in God's hands. What is left always is forgiveness. Therefore, I will forgive the one who will not forgive me and pray for the one who has chosen to be my enemy. That was their choice, not mine. The vacancy in the heart God is able to fill, the love of one another is always the most beneficial option. The letter came back today, the card sent to the address that I had, the love that was lost so many years ago. Even so, I know this person is with Jesus Christ, so I don't have to worry. I do not care who believes that or not, that is their business, that is between them and God, but I know that I know God is with me and will be with me "to the end of the age." And his promise to all who are thirsty, to all who are weary, to all who are lonely, to all who are grieving, his presence is his promise. We can be busy with lots of things but as we can keep him in the center or our hearts at the core of our being that is where we will find the peace we seek and must have to survive the wait.