Decades ago our parents had a weekend away on Motutapu Island and started a legacy. 29 years and 27 kids later and I’ve realised the gravity of that.
Our parents created something so much bigger than themselves. Because of their friendship, us kids have grown up surrounded by a community. We don’t see each other all the time, but we have an inseparable bond.
Our parents taught us that we need to do life together.
They’ve been there to toast to the good times, dance at weddings and they’ve travelled the world together. They’ve been there to pray and encourage each other in the middle of the night. They’ve dropped everything and driven hours just to hold each other in times of heartache.
Things right now are awful. I don’t know why Irene, Deborah & George all had to leave so suddenly.
It physically hurts our hearts and I don’t think that part will ever fully heal. But maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be. Because the love ran so deep. We will just continue to build life around the grief; but it’ll always be with us.
Their lives taught us that it’s possible to hold immense joy and heavy grief in the same moment.
Their lives taught us to say I love you every time we say goodbye; and mean it.
Their lives taught us to drive for five hours just to see someone for one.
Their lives taught us to book the house on the beach and keep inviting people until it overflows.
Their lives taught us that time together is a gift.
But most importantly, their lives taught us that despite all the pain and all the anguish; all the questions that will remain unanswered, all the heartache, all the tears and all the years lost, it is still worth giving everything we have to Jesus.
As the years pass the number of funerals we attend will grow, we can be sure of that. Jesus promised that in this world we would have trouble. But he also promised salvation to those who trust in Him, oh the hope we can cling onto.
No string of letters can ever encapsulate the loss we feel. But Jesus knows. He grieves with us.
So we will endure the grief, together we will sit in our pain and although we’re [still] bleeding as we bow to kneel, we will continue to kneel. Always.
“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord 's demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.” Lamentations 3:19-32 NLT
