On Sunday, our pastor was preaching from Isaiah …. What I remember, what I can’t stop mulling over …. Christ defeated death. I needed that today. I felt defeated. For several reasons.

Four helicopter pilots died today. One of the pilots was a member of this family. (Read their blog, it’s amazing, but prepare to cry). I don’t know them personally – they are friends of friends. I have been reading her blog, and following their story. Her heart is open and honest and refreshing and I was so excited to see their new little one’s life unfold with this sweet family.

Then this. I can think of a million reasons why he shouldn’t have died. But … he did. And of course, my sweet little Bug, and Baby H, and so on and so forth on a larger and larger scale until I feel defeated … bowed … bent … by death, by loss, by grief.

Objectively I know the end of the story. But I needed a reminder today, a hard day. And then my dear friend wrote this.

“Christ’s death and resurrection assures us as believers that death is not forever. But life – life in God – that is forever.

For my friends who mourn the loss of their babes who will never be born, I weep. But I know that death and loss will not have the final say for these women, for they are lovers of God and mothers of children and beautiful life-givers and prayer warriors. They don’t give up. Even in the face of death. Because Christ…because of Christ. Weeping may endure for a night, or a week, or even a month, but Joy – Joy always comes in the morning. And love, His love, never fails.

And that love, which both of my friends know well, will fill their lungs with breath when they have none, it will fill their legs with strength when they can’t even seem to get out of bed, it will fill them with smiles of joy for the children that they do have and their hearts with a healing balm that could only come from their Heavenly Abba.

He came once and He will come again and He will have the final say over all these things. And because of this, we rejoice. As the Hallelujah Chorus so beautifully states, ‘And He shall reign forever and ever, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, forever and ever and ever and ever.'”


I can’t add to this. I won’t write anymore. Read the whole post  at http://lauramthomas.blogspot.com/2011/12/gift-world-cant-give-you.html   Incredibly thankful for L. Thomas (246). 


I am not defeated. I rejoice in the midst of weeping. 

~M.