We will miss him so much, but my heart hurts most for his wife and son.
So it's late as I type this, and I wondered what to post. Scrolling through my card photos, I found this Christmas card that would not have made it to the blog under normal circumstances. It's an odd one, made with a Thanksgiving set from Papertrey (Fall Elegance), but it speaks to me tonight.
Advent, this time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus, has four themes, one for each Sunday of the season: peace, joy, love, and hope.
Hope.
That little baby born so long ago brought the hope of life eternal in God's presence to all of us...a hope made manifest with His blood shed on the cross. My friend lived in that hope, and now he is joyfully singing in heaven's choir, with his gorgeous Irish tenor.
In this season when we focus so much on joy, so much on gifts and giving and getting and merriment, remember to offer hope to those who are grieving. Joy, well, they can't relate to that, but hope...that's what we all need. No matter what.
Peace, joy, love, and most of all hope to you,
Susan
So sorry for your ministry's loss. It is nice to have hope as Christians that we will see our loved ones that have passed someday. Keeping your church and his family in thoughts and prayers
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Susan. It always seems to me, that more people pass away around the holidays, but may be I'm wrong.Hope is definitely what we all need.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. If I remember correctly, you lost two other people close to you around this time last year. I will be praying for all of you. You chose a wonderful card for this post.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm praying for you, his family and friends. Hope is the thing we cling to when we have nothing else. We know that God is with us every step of the way. He said He'd never leave us. I pray that you feel God's nearness to you and are able to support your friend's family at this very difficult time and season. Rejoice that you will see him again. Hug and Hope.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so very sorry to hear of this terrible loss. Hugs
ReplyDeleteIt is the strangest position to be in...our heart grieves in sadness for our loss and at the same time Rejoices in Gladness for their gain...to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!...the Hope of Glory! With prayer for his family, you, and the church family at this sad time.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and the sadness which grief brings to all. In truth even Jesus wept. Yet there remains the hope which brings an inner peace that we shall see our loved ones again. I have lost a father, mum-in-law and my best friend this year. I shall see only one in Heaven. God gives each of us a choice and only my friend chose Him. Your card is so right for this situation. Hope, it is the best of all things!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your losses, Anne. Big hugs and prayers for God's comfort and peace for you and all affected by their deaths.
DeleteIt is a beautiful card and a beautifully written post. I am so very sorry for the loss of such a caring man, not only for those who were part of his life, but also for those whose lives will now not be touched by him. Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be grateful for those we love and their continued presence - something we so very often take for granted. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear about the loss of your friend. Prayers for the family.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you, his family and all that knew him. <3
ReplyDeleteSorry for the loss of your friend. Will be praying for his family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, for this lovely post that spoke to me of hope. My husband of 42 years died 11 weeks ago, & I'm struggling to hold on to hope & gratitude right now. I have 3 beautiful daughters with 6 awesome grandchildren, but without my soulmate, I feel lost. You've reminded me I can choose HOPE, & I will try.God bless you & the people important in your life. Have a joyful season.
ReplyDeletePat, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please send me an email to susanraihala@roadrunner.com. I would like to send you something that might help a little bit. Big hugs to you!
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss--my heart goes out to his family. This Christmas night is the 7th year since I lost my dad. I know he & my mom (gone for many years) greeted your friend with singing in heaven. We have hope in Christ, but still so much pain with the loss of those so dear to us.
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