This week, we said good bye to Ron's elderly aunt whose sojourn in this world was ninety years.
Also this week, our hearts grieved with the news of the killings in Connecticut, twenty-six lives ended. My mother's heart cannot imagine the devastation of parents whose children will not be coming home. It is an unspeakable horror.
It has been almost a year since the memorial service for our precious friend, Ann.
And so, again, one year later, I am pondering what it means to go to the house of mourning.
Permit me to repost my musings from this time last year...
"The House of Mourning"
1. A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
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Ann's memorial service was today. It was such a beautiful tribute to our beautiful friend...and honoring to the Lord, as her life and her death gave testimony to Him.
After the service, we headed to a Christmas party for Ron's side of the family, which seemed to me an odd juxtaposition of events.
Throughout the day, a phrase from the Word of God kept running through my mind—"it is better to go to the house of mourning"—so tonight, I looked it up to discover the rest of the words and the context of the phrase.
Oh, this passage is quite contrary to our natural way of thinking. The day of death is better than the day of birth? Sorrow is better than laughter? It is better to go to the house of mourning?
We talked about this on the way to the party.
Why would it be better to go to the house of mourning?
Perhaps it is because as we think about death, we are faced with mortality.
Perhaps it is because we are sober.
Perhaps it is because we are focusing on what is important, what is lasting, what is eternal.
Perhaps our hearts can be turned a little more toward our Heavenly home.
"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning."
This thought is so contrary to the way we usually think, isn't it? Yet there is a time for joy and a time for sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Cheryl.
I think we tend to try and think of something else rather than death or sadness. But it's good to contemplate what comes after death and that for those who believe it is something to rejoice in and look forward to. I'm sorry for your loss ---and am amazed at how many I know just in the last few weeks who have made that journey to heaven--all quite elderly. It's the time of year.
ReplyDeleteHere, too, it seems quite a few elderly folks have died. I attended the funeral of my good friend's mother-in-law, also over 90 on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated these observations here, Cheryl. Since they are from GOD'S word, we do well to consider them carefully and adjust our lives in appropriate response and with balance...
I found your blog yesterday and look forward to checking out your archives.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the losses in your life, but thank you for taking the time to write this encouraging post from your heart.
I saw this post in your archives for Dec. 2012, so clicked on it. My dear husband and soul mate of 43 years, went to be with Jesus Dec. 9, 2012, 11 days short of his 65th bday. Bladder cancer.
What has kept me going is God's strength and knowing that my husband is with Jesus and one day we will be reunited.
God's blessings on you ~ FlowerLady