Early Wednesday morning, I grabbed my Bible and hymnbook and headed to the cemetery about a half hour away. I hadn't been there since the burial service and wasn't sure how I would react. I'm sure your prayers made a difference.
It was a beautiful morning and a recent rain had greened up the grounds nicely. I sat on a mat beside the marker and prayed through hymns and read I Corinthians 15 for little over an hour. It was a comforting time with the Lord, a quiet peace held my heart. Considering that I'd polished off a full roll of TP in the preceding three days, it was quite amazing that I only needed one Kleenex in that hour!
One hymn that struck new meaning for me was one of Steve's favorites: And Can it Be? (And he always sang it with gusto.) The verses depict God's work of salvation, but as I read verses 3 & 4 I pictured Steve leaving his cancer-wracked body of death and entering the throne room of God, radiantly dressed in Jesus righteousness!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night.
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray; I woke - the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, thru Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me!
Another thought that struck me during that hour...How then will I live? It's sobering to see your name written on a grave stone. I don't know what year will be etched in that stone below my name, but I long to finish well. May God grace us all with an urgency to throw off everything that hinders and...entangles us and...run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
It was a beautiful morning and a recent rain had greened up the grounds nicely. I sat on a mat beside the marker and prayed through hymns and read I Corinthians 15 for little over an hour. It was a comforting time with the Lord, a quiet peace held my heart. Considering that I'd polished off a full roll of TP in the preceding three days, it was quite amazing that I only needed one Kleenex in that hour!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night.
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray; I woke - the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, thru Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me!
Another thought that struck me during that hour...How then will I live? It's sobering to see your name written on a grave stone. I don't know what year will be etched in that stone below my name, but I long to finish well. May God grace us all with an urgency to throw off everything that hinders and...entangles us and...run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Marcia,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your experience of June 11 with us. It helps us join with you as we marked that day with the sadness of loss and the joy of hope... You know of our constant love and prayer!
Ken & Gwen
What a blessing that God so powerfully met you there!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful that The Lord met you there. What a sweet but sobering time you had. You remain in our thoughts and prayers, dear Marica.
ReplyDeleteJoy McLawhon