And Now My Lifesong Sings...

One of the ladies in our church sang this last week. Going back to church has been difficult since Mom went home to be with Jesus. It's good & bad being there. Those of you who have lost loved ones know of what I speak. 

Last Sunday was a rough day. Friends of mine had just lost their father & his son spoke at church that morning. A little boy was tragically lost as well this same week. Then this song was sung. 

I even have the Casting Crowns CD that this song is on. Little did I know how it would impact me that day. We were even sitting in the very front row of the church. I was quietly falling apart when another friend scooted over to hug me through this whole song (too many kids between hubby & I ::grin::). 

After the special music our pastor starts his sermon. His text this week? Well, he's working through the book of John. It was John 14:1-4 (NIV). 

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

There truly are no mistakes with God. He knew exactly where Pastor would be preaching this week. He knew that I needed to hear this. He knew that all those in church who have lost loved ones in the month of March needed to hear this. 

We serve a wonderful, awesome, and loving God. While we may never know the "why" of things, we do know that He is turning all of it to good.  

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

-emphasis mine

Don't let this fool you in to thinking I don't miss my mother. I certainly do. Don't think that I don't question "why," because I do. Don't think I don't constantly wonder "what if," because I am. 

However, I also trust fully in my God and Saviour. I know that for whatever reason, He decided that my mother had to have cancer and then had to contract MRSA. None of this was a surprise to Him. None of it. While I never ever wanted to loose my mother right now, I have to trust God had a purpose and a reason for it all. I know that someday I'll see my mom again. Of that I have absolutely no doubts or "what if's." She is no longer suffering & she is home with Jesus. Of that I am truly thankful.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

~~Jeremiah 29:11~~