And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making all things new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev. 21:3-5 (NIV)
Dear Lord Jesus, today is a day of redemptive déjà vu. Though it took me nearly forty years to make it back to my mom’s grave after her death, that visit proved to be the portal of major heart surgery and liberation for me. A backlog of tears broke like a dam; my relational style of self-protection began to crumble, and your grace commenced dismantling the idols of my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus.
Ten years later, we laid dad’s body to rest next to mom’s; but during that decade dad and I were able finally able to grieve our shared loss and connect with our hearts. He was 81 and I was 50. Though Alzheimer’s finally robbed dad’s memory of my face and name, it couldn’t steal the gift you gave us. Again, I bless you Jesus, for the power of the gospel to do way beyond all we can ask or imagine.
And today, I’ll make another trip back to that rich plot of earth that holds so much of my heart and story. Today we plant Ruth’s body, my stepmom, into that same little garden of grace—within a few feet of mom and dad. How could I have ever anticipated this chapter in my story? How can I possibly put a value on such grace, love, and kindness? Your name, Jesus, is most definitely Redeemer, and you are, indeed, a most wonderful and merciful Savior. I never could have asked for a better stepmom, and, a 1000 times over, I never could have hoped for a better gospel.
O for the Day of wiped tears and redeemed stories! O for the Day of no more death, mourning, dying, or pain! O for the Day of all things new! So very Amen I pray, in your great and grace-full name.
