Death comes, quietly, suddenly, without prejudice. We cannot run from it. It’s inevitable. But when it happens and you are slammed down, what then?
This weekend while celebrating a family triumphant event, we lost a dear one in our life. He was 75, lived for the most part a great life, but we were not yet ready to see him go.
When the news came, his wife without a tear in her eye, with unfailing strength, simply said, “He said today was the day he wanted to go home.”
I watched her and felt sheer JOY! She was truly a matriarchal figure; a strong mother, grandmother, sister, friend. She held my hand, smiled, and said let’s go.
Wow! Even now as I type this, I am in complete awe!
What’s even more ‘WOW’ is I almost did not come. As my sister/friend held me, she quietly whispered, with a tear stricken eye, ‘I’m glad you came. I’m glad you could be here.’
And I knew - God made the decision for me to come here. It was out of my control. He orchestrated this so I could be here for my sister/friend.
So I simply replied: ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to let you know that God sent me so I could tell you that He is here for you. When Jesus died on the cross, He promised to send a Comforter. This Comforter will comfort you. Call on the Holy Ghost to come and comfort you. When I leave, when we are all gone, call on the Comforter. He will provide you with joy and peace. It’s His job. Call on Him.’
And just like that, she fell a sleep, on my shoulder, as her husband drove her to the hospital. Almost immediately after nodding her head in agreement, she slept. She drifted off and I could hardly contain my praise, but I did. I wanted her to rest peacefully for a few short minutes.
But what this said even louder is that God hears and he will honor our cries for him.
Towards the end of the Book John (which I read in entirety on the last leg of my flight…coincidence…no!), Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— John 14:16 (AMP)
But the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26 (AMP)
But when the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify and bear witness about Me. John 15:26 (AMP)
In Chapters 14-15, Jesus spoke with little interruption regarding his death. He wanted the disciples to know that He was not leaving them alone. That He would leave the Comforter for us, who will guide us, teach us, help us, intercede for us, but most importantly, comfort us in our time of need. He wanted the disciples to know that they will be sad but they would not be left alone. He’d send another for his job was fulfilled.
Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the [f]Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17 (AMP)
But [this is so] that the word which has been written in their Law would be fulfilled, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ John 15:25 (AMP)
The disciples could not fathom losing Jesus. They wanted to go with him.
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
What if we could rejoice death rather than mourn loss for our own selfish reasons? I can recall a dear one in my life proclaiming they wanted to leave but stayed because the family wanted them to stay. In their love, they quietly continued to suffer because they loved us so much; they opted to remain on earth rather than allow their spirit to return to God.
But we spend so much time crying during times of loss. My children, in their innocence, watched adults in crying fits and wonder why all the crying (during their few funeral services). They simply state they will miss the person and life pretty much goes on for them. What if we could see death through their eyes?
With love,
Keiyia JOYet George
Have you suffered a loss recently? How did the family handle the loss? Was their great rejoice or mourning? Share your thoughts and comments below and help a dear one in their suffering.