Whispered Treasures

This is my second Thanksgiving without my husband, Roy. During the first year of his death, I was going on Spiritual Adrenalin, a supernatural ability to deal with my loss. This second year has been a little more difficult. The first year was occupied with thank you notes, business details, and sheer determination to make one foot follow the other as I got out of bed. I am surprised that the second year is harder, but I think I know why. Reality has set in. It still seems strange that Roy does not come home at night; but I am learning and accepting that this is permanent. And, in the permanence is sadness, but also peace. Everyone handles things differently, but for me, well, I could not part with all of his clothes at once. I am gradually clearing them out, but I have not been ready to until now. Whispered treasures rise up from time to time to remind me of the happy days. Memories float in that I had forgotten. The greatest whispered treasure, however, is the assurance that God is with me,that He loves me, and that Roy's death did not catch Him by surprise. I mean,can you imagine Roy walking into heaven one morning and God looking up and saying, "Well, Roy Funk, I wasn't expecting you today!" No, God was expecting Roy on that very day. It is a treasure to me to know that my Heavenly Father has Roy now all of the time,and that the two of them are in a completed relationship, available only through death. I am glad that his body is healed and that he knows the permanence of a life without distraction, without sin, and without leukemia and atrial fib. I proclaim again and again that God is a dear and wonderful God, full of love and compassion. I know this because He shows me His nature all of the time. Praise God for His great love for us.

Jesus Still Comes Down at Christmas

I was not at all sure how Christmas would come to my home this year. At first, I felt I was going to just "skip" it, as if I held that sort of power. Christmas came, and it comes to all of us, beautifully slipping into our soul whether we are ready for it or not. I was not sure I was ready. At first, I thought I would not put up a tree. Then, I thought, "I have to. I need Christmas." I found the lights of the tree to be as intriguing as they were when I was a child; they were beautiful. I found that Jesus came to the stable to be born anew in the lives and hearts of those who will receive. I heard the joyous church music,and realized that had I shut myself off from that, I would have lost out big time this year. So, I embraced Christmas. In return, Christmas embraced me. Actually, let me put that another way. Christmas embraced me first, and I responded to that and embraced Christmas. I felt overwhelmingly blessed by the friends who called, wrote or came by, wanting to make very sure I was doing okay. And so, because of God's grace, I did better than okay. I am constantly amazed at what He does for me. How about you? Did Christmas embrace you? If you didn't feel the heartbeat of the baby Jesus, the joy of the shepherds, the awe of Mary and Joseph, stop and allow your Christmas to happen all over again. Let it happen. Don't miss the baby. In your mind's eye, see yourself picking him up and holding Him. Now, bring Him close to you and look into His eyes. This is life. I hope you have found that wonderful joy He brings. If not, I would like to talk to you. Let me know. Blessings for a joyful January.