January 10, 2008
A Flower Quickly Fading
by Jenn Joshua, RTF Staff Writer
“I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow…
…A vapor in the wind
Still you hear me when I’m calling
Lord, you catch me when I’m falling
And You show me who I am;
I am Yours.”
Who can understand life and its brevity? The One who created life and orchestrated our steps and told us that it was good. And it is good for those of us who love Him.
My aunt died last night. Dad just came in the door and told me the news. I was stunned. I knew it was almost inevitable and still I’m surprised. Why?
There’s peace in knowing each of the seven friends and relatives we lost in the past year belonged to Jesus. We will see them again in Heaven. The separation will only be for a time. That is true peace. Tears can’t last in the face of such a glorious promise.
Though we’re here one moment and gone the next, it’s a great comfort to realize the One who knows best has control of all things, and everything is ultimately done to bring Him glory. It may be the chief end of man to glorify God, but praise the Lord that He will bring glory to Himself with or without our ‘help’. It may sound severe, but it is exactly the opposite: God has a plan for us, to give us a future and a hope…and it is not in His plan to harm us, because all things are worked together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
God gives us grace to help in time of need; His peace is the kind that passes all understanding. He’s promised that we can cast our cares upon Him, and reminded us to be anxious for nothing because His peace will preserve our hearts and minds. There is joy in knowing the Lord, and apart from Him there is hopelessness and sorrow.
He gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
“I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands.
For You are who You are
No matter where I am,
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand;
You’ve never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I’ll praise you in this storm.”
~Casting Crowns~
BIO: Jenn is a home school graduate whose love of writing is practically unsurpassed. She is currently co-writing a sequel to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and spends her spare time working as a volunteer Child Advocate for Compassion International.
Cindi Hoppes says:
Jen, How powerful your words are. Thanks for the wonderful perspective! I have lost many people in my life, but my mom and brother passed 4 months apart and I am still missing them terribly! Cindi
Trent says:
Awesome, Jenn. I lost my dad two months ago, and have practically lived day-to-day on that verse you quoted from Phil. “Be anxious for nothing”… it’s become my life song.
I hated reading stuff written by people who had no clue. They’d not lost anybody close to them. I’m glad for your firm, but sensitive direction — and personal experience to back you up.
Hope you write more soon!