Sunday, May 1, 2011

He's Not Here Either

"Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  We live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."  2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NIV)

I went to my Grandy's grave today.

As I walked to his tombstone, I whispered, "We sure do miss you."  With tear-filled eyes, I told him that I love him.

I didn't hear it audibly...just the words in my head..."He's not here."

Because of Jesus.

With Jesus.

I thought back to the butterflies that we released last week at school.  Left behind is a shell...the chrysalis.  The butterfly...the living being...was set free.  Beautiful.  Perfect.  Soaring.

That place that we buried my sweet Grandy's body doesn't really contain him.  He is present with the Lord!  Healthy.  Whole.  Laughing.

He loved to laugh.

And he loved.

Because of Jesus.

Lord, thank You for Your love.  Thank You for the promise of heaven...that we "know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven."  We long to see You...and Grandy.

4 comments:

Kathy said...

okay! Thanks for making me cry today! Love you. Kathy

Anonymous said...

AMEN, my friend. AMEN.

I don't visit my dad's grave much. It's not because I didn't love him.

I did.
I still do.

But I know he isn't there. Not at all. He is with Jesus. And that brings me a peace I canNOT explain.

Kristi Butler said...

Hi Kathy, sorry to make you cry. Hugs! Praying for you and your family.

Love you, Donna!!!

Anonymous said...

I have not visited my mother's grave more than a few times for the same reason, she is not there.
Mum was one who loved to hug but being in pain from cancer she couldn't bear for anyone to even hug her, her body hurt so much. Minutes after she died I took the opportunity to hug her one last time. Right then the Lord said to me, "The house is empty." Such reassurance that she was gone to Him.
We do not grieve as those who have no hope!