Monday, January 14, 2013

Dancing with Jesus



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"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."    - Philippians 2:1-2


   As he closed the door to their new Jeep Cherokee he paused and sighed deeply, tears were already forming in his eyes. The snow was falling and the ground was covered with white. Looking over the hood of the car he caught a glimpse of his wife with snowflakes sticking in her red hair, a smile on her face. In a soft voice she looks up at him, "You can do this. We need to be strong now, it's important that we be there for him."

   Ringing the door bell, he inhaled deeply and prepared for the sadness that awaited him on the other side of the door. A death in the family always brings friends together, and his job this night was one of support. The door knob turned and the door slowly opened. His best friend stood there in front of him with a smile on his face, and greeted them with a warm embrace and firm handshake, followed by more pleasantries and a glass of warm cider.  Not at all the welcome he had prepped for on the drive over tonight. A few moments passed as others came and milled about, our host's response was the same for each one.

  Finally the moment came when these two friends and another who had joined them had a chance to sit alone by the fireplace. A secret to an open honest conversation between men, is to inject a focal point that draws their attention, and then begin speaking. He picked up the poker and moved the logs around as his host and their friend settled in the chairs. The words weren't there. What was he supposed to say to this man that had just lost his wife of 35 years. His throat swelled up as he struggled to find the words, then his emotions carried forth and tears welled up in his eyes. Wait a minute, he thought, why am I crying, my friend should be. The widower stepped over and placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay. I'm okay. She was ready and is dancing with Jesus tonight. Don't weep for me my friend, God gave me 35 incredible years on this earth with her and I know without a doubt I have eternity with her one day."

  How could this have played out this way. This man loses his wife and is able to see through it to the end state, while his lifelong friends gathered with him are mourning and having a hard time coming to grips with it. Where does that strength come from? As the widower's friend steps over to embrace the host of the night, he realizes that he came here to support but ended up being the needing to be supported. As the night drew to a close, the time came for he and his wife to make their exit. Walking out into the snow storm, he squeezed his wife's hand tightly. Something had changed from the moment they arrived to the moment the left. His perspective of death had been completely wrong, and it took a grieving widower to make him realize it. He had been married to his wife for 32 years and didn't even know her perspective on Christianity. As he opened the car door for his wife, he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss. "Honey, do you know Jesus Christ?"

   There will come a day when you're loved one’s lives will come to an end. It's inevitable. We have no real control over it. What we do have control over though is the decision on where we will spend eternity. You cannot save a single soul, not your spouse, children, siblings or parents. Only God has that authority, it is a decision they must make on their own. You do have the ability though to ensure they are aware and thinking about it. If their life were taken tonight, could you wake up in the morning knowing that you had done all you could to encourage, support and love them like Jesus? I'm sure you love your family members and friends, but love that lasts an eternity is focused on how much God loves them, not you. Perhaps this is the time for you to have that discussion. It doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. Open your heart with the love of Christ and allow God to use you. If you would like help to introduce the topic, shoot me an e-mail and I'll do what I can to help out. Be blessed.


             
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