| Life Goes On ~ Really! © Ferna Lary Mills |
Take this picture, for example. You've probably seen it before, but let's look at it for
just a moment in a different context. At first glance, typically we see the white vase in
the middle of this picture. Stare at it long enough, and change your perspective just a
bit and you can see the two faces staring at each other with only white space
between them. Some folks will see the faces first, some the vase first. Some get so
wrapped up in one view that they can never see the other view.
"Life goes on."
At first glance, from our perspective, it seems that even though we have suffered a
great loss when our loved one departed, our life (although it will never be the same
as before) continues to go on. When my parents passed away several years ago, I
never dreamed just how much life DOES go on. However, now looking back on the
years since they left, I can vividly see the changes ~ my daughter's marriage, my new
grandbabies, new friends, and a different direction in my life than ever before.
Wow! So many changes. However, it doesn't mean I don't still grieve, for I still miss
them terribly, but life does go on, even in our grief.
Now, take a second glance ~ one from God's perspective, and compare it with that
same photo at the beginning of this story.
"Life goes on." Same sentence, but with His greater meaning. Although our loved
one departed from this life, THEIR life goes on. The whole reason that God sent his
son, Jesus, was to change things so that our life would be eternal. By accepting
Christ, God's gift to us, He said we would never "die". Our physical body may die and
turn to dust, but as He lives on, so will we. Eternally.
Now, I see in this photo what I think God might see. Two faces, separated only by a
little time and a little space. One face being the spirit of my loved one who now lives
with Him in that Most Glorious Place, and the other face, my own spirit that still
resides on this side of Heaven. My loved ones and I are separated only by a short
period of time and space, compared to all eternity, and we both can look forward to
that grand reunion one day.
The white vase now appears only to be a little white space. That should put grief
back into perspective. May you never look at this photo the same way again and may
knowing that there is but a small space between you and your loved one, and
believing that there will be a reunion one day, may you find His glorious Peace.
~*~
As the season begins to change and the cooler breezes of almost-winter blow gently
upon my face, I'm reminded of the awesome power of a loving God whose love never
changes ... no matter the season ... no matter the circumstances of my life. Life does
go on, and there is great comfort to be found in God's eternal faithfulness. ~ Ferna
just a moment in a different context. At first glance, typically we see the white vase in
the middle of this picture. Stare at it long enough, and change your perspective just a
bit and you can see the two faces staring at each other with only white space
between them. Some folks will see the faces first, some the vase first. Some get so
wrapped up in one view that they can never see the other view.
"Life goes on."
At first glance, from our perspective, it seems that even though we have suffered a
great loss when our loved one departed, our life (although it will never be the same
as before) continues to go on. When my parents passed away several years ago, I
never dreamed just how much life DOES go on. However, now looking back on the
years since they left, I can vividly see the changes ~ my daughter's marriage, my new
grandbabies, new friends, and a different direction in my life than ever before.
Wow! So many changes. However, it doesn't mean I don't still grieve, for I still miss
them terribly, but life does go on, even in our grief.
Now, take a second glance ~ one from God's perspective, and compare it with that
same photo at the beginning of this story.
"Life goes on." Same sentence, but with His greater meaning. Although our loved
one departed from this life, THEIR life goes on. The whole reason that God sent his
son, Jesus, was to change things so that our life would be eternal. By accepting
Christ, God's gift to us, He said we would never "die". Our physical body may die and
turn to dust, but as He lives on, so will we. Eternally.
Now, I see in this photo what I think God might see. Two faces, separated only by a
little time and a little space. One face being the spirit of my loved one who now lives
with Him in that Most Glorious Place, and the other face, my own spirit that still
resides on this side of Heaven. My loved ones and I are separated only by a short
period of time and space, compared to all eternity, and we both can look forward to
that grand reunion one day.
The white vase now appears only to be a little white space. That should put grief
back into perspective. May you never look at this photo the same way again and may
knowing that there is but a small space between you and your loved one, and
believing that there will be a reunion one day, may you find His glorious Peace.
~*~
As the season begins to change and the cooler breezes of almost-winter blow gently
upon my face, I'm reminded of the awesome power of a loving God whose love never
changes ... no matter the season ... no matter the circumstances of my life. Life does
go on, and there is great comfort to be found in God's eternal faithfulness. ~ Ferna
"Life goes on." It's a simple statement, but one that holds a
truly complex meaning. All that is required to grasp both
meanings, is the ability to change our perspective. Please let
me explain.
truly complex meaning. All that is required to grasp both
meanings, is the ability to change our perspective. Please let
me explain.
| A Christian Grief Ministry |
Life After Loss |