The Circle of Life

Last week was truly an experience in the circle of life. The week started on Saturday with the news of the death of a sister-in-law of a friend who was elderly and prepared to go meet her Maker. Then came the news of the death of the 20 year-old grandson of one of the couples in the breakfast club in a one car accident.

But Thursday was coming.

Then came the funerals. We did not attend but both were well attended. The 20-year-old had 220 cars and we found out through the grieving process that he, too, was well prepared to go home to his Heavenly Father. One funeral was on Monday and the other was on Wednesday. We grieved with our friends and neighbors as these two believers were ushered into the presence of their Father.

But Thursday was coming.

Thursday, about 7:00 am, we received a call from our son that Kathy was in labor and Max was on his way. My husband had a Compensation and Pension exam he HAD to go to so I showered, dressed quickly, and raced to the hospital. As we all waited, I prayed that my mother (the great-grandma), who had to attend a funeral that day herself, and my husband would arrive before Max did.

God honored my prayers as my mother arrived at noon and my husband at about 12:30 pm. It seemed like Max was waiting for everyone to be there because the doctor said he would be arrive at 12:30 pm and he didn't get here until 1:04 pm. We were all full of joy when my sister-in-law arrived in the waiting room to tell us that Kathy and Max were doing fine. I am sure the moment of Max's arrival was bittersweet for most of us with the death of my brother on New Year's Eve. That's okay, Sheila, I was thinking about him too. But I am sure my brother saw him from heaven because that's what the story of the rich man and Lazarus tells me.

What rejoicing erupted as we all took turns going back and holding this precious little gift from God. God even saw to that Max was born to Godly parent that will not only raise him in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord, but also in a Bible-believing, God-fearing church.

In six days we moved from great grief to great joy. But what a ride! We went from a life well lived, to the death of a grandchild gone too soon, to the birth of a son, nephew, and grandson. All this helped me to better understand the meaning of, "A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:3).

That is what this week has been. A trip through the valley of the shadow of death to the mountain top and green pastures.

So remember, no matter how bad things get, there are good things ahead. It may not be the birth of a grandchild, but you will feel exceptionally blessed by a Father who knows how much you can bear and wants to give you good things.