1 Corinthians 15:54-57

When the perishable puts on the imperishable and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where O Death is Your Sting?

In the past two months, God has drawn my thoughts to the reality of life and death in this world. With the passing of my Grandma, I began to think about all that she did in this life and the impact she made in my life. Though she did not do anything that most would deem "amazing," her life was a living testimony of what it means to serve the Lord faithfully.

Just five weeks after Grandma died, my grandpa (her husband) passed away as well. Grandpa's death was so unexpected and so soon after losing Grandma. The phone call from my dad shocked me and the tears poured. I couldn't believe he was gone. Watching my parents, aunts, and uncles process this huge loss has taught me much about grieving. On a cold March day, we drove out to the military cemetery to say our final goodbyes to Grandpa. I had never experience anything like this before. They laid the flag over the casket, three rifle shots were fired, and the trumpet began to play. The flag was removed, folded and placed in the hands of my Uncle John. The woman thanked him on behalf of the President and the United States Military. As everyone quietly said their goodbyes, I turned to see my own father standing next to the casket of his father, eyes tightly shut, and tears streaming down his face. I had never seen my dad cry like that, and I could not imagine having to say goodbye to him. I will not soon forget that moment!

The days and weeks to follow have been filled with clearing out the house, seeing that all of Grandma and Grandpa's things are dispersed appropriately. What a blessing that their has been no fighting or demanding of things as the family works through this. I have been so blessed to see how peaceably and selflessly the process has gone.

Just two and a half weeks after Grandpa's death, my Uncle Bill (my mom's sister's husband) passed away from colon cancer. He was only 52. My dear cousins who are my age and younger have just lost their father as well. It pained me not to be able to be there with them during this time. I know however, that the Lord's grace and comfort is surrounding them right now.

As I continued to process these three deaths, a young girl (12 years old) who I worked with in the Youth Center in MN died from cancer. She was just diagnosed in January. And then this past Saturday, my great uncle (also on my father's side) had a heart attack and passed away. He had just flown to MN by himself at the age of 87 for my Grandpa's funeral. As soon as he saw me, he asked how Texas and learning Spanish was going. I couldn't believe his good memory. It was such a joy to talk with him, and he was joking around with us like always. Having seen him so recently, it seems so unreal that he is with the Lord now as well.

As my thoughts dwell on these losses, I can only praise God for the grace he has shown in the HOPE we have in him. I cannot imagine losing so much in this life without the Hope of eternity so prevalent in my mind. As the memories of these loved ones come to mind, I thank God for the time I had with them, realizing that this life is short and each day together is precious.

The New York Times published an article/obituary about my Uncle Bill stating that he found hope in a single passage of the Book of Job. "You will call and I will answer," Job says. "You will long for the creature your hands have made." The article closed by quoting this statement from Uncle Bill: "The concept that God longs for the likes of me is so unbelievably sweet."

God has created each of us so uniquely, calling us to live out who we are in Him for His glory. This has been so beautifully displayed in the lives of all these precious members of my family. Now I rejoice that the Lord has called them home to rest with him in glory!