"The Shadows Disappear"

We had two church services, a funeral service, a bible study and a graduation party today....(you know how Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest :)  I won't complain about it because I am realizing that even though days feel really busy sometimes, we never know how many days we get.  Today seemed to be all about reinforcing that message to me.....to make the most of my days and not to fear the SHADOWS OF DEATH.  We have experienced a lot of loss, grief, and difficult circumstances in the midst of our church family lately.  When Brad planned the worship set for this week he added one of my favorite songs which has also become sentimental because we sang it to celebrate our previous pastor's home going.....I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin.  Brad wasn't even thinking of that when he scheduled the song, but this week we are taking several of our daughters and church youth to Camp Barakel and Pastor Scott passed away the day we took the kids to camp (coming up on) two years ago.

The day he passed he had seen us off in the morning. He and I said a silly goodbye that morning.  I had been the last one checking through the church to make sure all the kids were out of the bathrooms and loaded up and he was joking with me about being in the van that long with all those kids so pumped.  I said goodbye and then before I pushed the final glass door to the front of the church opened I turned back around to wave and give him a pouty face (so he would feel REALLY sorry for me :P)  He laughed and smiled and that is what I see when I think of him.  It makes me always want to turn back around one more time to say goodbye to people.

In our bible study tonight, we talked about why the verse in 2 Corinthians 6:2 says the right time for salvation is NOW.  What separates us from eternity is only one heartbeat.  That is crazy to think about, right?  That is why right NOW (this heartbeat) is always the right time for salvation because we really don't know if we have the next one.  That is not to scare us....just to bring the truth to the forefront of our minds.  Knowing that should change our attitude and actions and the way we treat and care for others.

I had one of those good days of grieving....you know what I mean?  Remembering people who have passed with laughter and tears.  It is good to grieve, but the Bible tells us we should never grieve as one who is without hope.

I Will Rise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c