Death, Ressurection, and longing for heaven

It has been a tough month.

After the excitement of Oliver's birth, a week later Tim's last remaining Grandparent, his Pa, passed away.  It wasn't a shock (he's been in and out of hospital all summer), and it was a bit of a relief (he had just had a paralysing stroke), but it was still a very sad time.

His funeral particularly was very emotional.  While it was filled with joy over his life and the knowledge that he was with Jesus, there was so much other meaning behind it.  17 months earlier I had sat in the same Funeral home at Tim's Nana's funeral.  Tim's Nanny and Papa were there, and it was the last proper conversation I had with them before they died, 3 months later.  And, while I didn't know it for certain at the time, I was actually pregnant during her funeral, with the baby we would say goodbye to only 7 weeks later.

It has been a really rough 18 months.  Eighteen Months of Death.

So, as yesterday we celebrated Easter, I couldn't help thinking of what a miracle it is.

That there was a man, who was more than just a man.  That this man was so innocent and powerful that death could not beat him.  A man who now has power over death.  A man who promises that just as he was raised from death, so all who believe in him will rise.

Sitting at Pa's funeral, knowing that his race was run, knowing that he had gone to be with the savior that he loved and followed for so long, it is a great thing.  I almost felt a little jealous.

And during such tough times as these, what a great thing it is to know that death is mealy a small sleep on the way to eternity with Jesus.
Thank you Jesus for Easter.
BG