Minutes after I published this post about our birthday celebration, I learned that my dear friend's husband had passed away. Once again, I am contemplating the dichotomy of rejoicing and weeping.
What a season this has been. A season of rejoicing and weeping indeed. I do not think that I have ever experienced such a swinging back and forth of joy and sorrow, over and over, in such a short time. One's heart can hardly keep up.
But today is a day of weeping.
My friend has lost her husband, her partner, her soulmate. After his diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma in late June, shortly after the graduation of their son Hunter and our daughter Kati, Joanie and Gene have walked a difficult path, and that path that was much shorter than anyone had expected. Today, Gene's suffering is over, and because He knew Jesus, he has gone home to eternal rest.
No, the weeping is not for him. It is for my friend, and for their adult children, as they walk a new path, without the husband and father that they loved and honored. It is not a path that they would have chosen, but it is theirs to walk.
In these two short-long months, we have hugged, talked, broken bread together, prayed, and chatted on Facebook into the wee hours of the night. That is what we do in the Body of Christ. We "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15)
Grace.
We depend on His grace to carry us through the joy and the sorrow, the rejoicing and the weeping. It is all by His grace.
"Yes, I will run the race, till I see Your face, Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace!"
What a season this has been. A season of rejoicing and weeping indeed. I do not think that I have ever experienced such a swinging back and forth of joy and sorrow, over and over, in such a short time. One's heart can hardly keep up.
But today is a day of weeping.
My friend has lost her husband, her partner, her soulmate. After his diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma in late June, shortly after the graduation of their son Hunter and our daughter Kati, Joanie and Gene have walked a difficult path, and that path that was much shorter than anyone had expected. Today, Gene's suffering is over, and because He knew Jesus, he has gone home to eternal rest.
No, the weeping is not for him. It is for my friend, and for their adult children, as they walk a new path, without the husband and father that they loved and honored. It is not a path that they would have chosen, but it is theirs to walk.
In these two short-long months, we have hugged, talked, broken bread together, prayed, and chatted on Facebook into the wee hours of the night. That is what we do in the Body of Christ. We "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15)
Grace.
We depend on His grace to carry us through the joy and the sorrow, the rejoicing and the weeping. It is all by His grace.
"Yes, I will run the race, till I see Your face, Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace!"
I'm so sorry Cheryl...
ReplyDeleteYou are having a time. But as usual your testimony in sorrow just as in joy, is pure and inspiring. I've lifted a prayer for your dear friend and her family and will continue to do so. When I 'see' you I'll be reminded. Continue to press into Him and cling to the truth that this is not our home... Praise Him!
Hugs and Blessings to you, Debbie
We have the same book? No way! ;)
ReplyDeleteincredulously, Debbie
Oh Cheryl, You have had quite a season, I am so sorry for your friend, I will be praying for her and her family and for you as you weep with her, as you both run to Him hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteThere are not enough words to tell you how this song has ministered to me today."I will run the race until I see His face." God's Grace" no words to describe the magnitude of it.
I have so missed not being able to visit, but as you say friends need not explain. I do treasure you.
Sue
How is Cheryl today? I love that your thumbnail photo is always happy but it may give a false sense to your friends... Still praying for yours!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie