Thursday, March 12, 2009

Heavy Hearted

The day's events had taken their toll on her. So many people had been in her house today. All was finally quiet. She was weary and bone-tired all over. All her prayers, all her efforts, and this was the result. He was gone.

She lovingly cradled his Bible. Oh, how he'd loved reading it! The worn onion skin pages reflected his intense study and adoration of the Word. What should she do with it now?

She put it down and gasped as she saw something glinting in the lamplight. His watch peeked out from under the edge of the medical supplies he didn't need anymore. She picked it up and looked at me with a mixture of surprise and sadness.

"His watch! I forgot..." she trailed off as the realization and resignation hit her simultaneously. She looked to me with tears in her eyes. "Should I bury him with it?" I shook my head "No, Momo. He doesn't need it. Give it to one of his grandsons." She sighed as a tear ran down her face.

It came to me that someday there is no more time. No more watches, calendars, or schedules. When it is your time to go, none of it matters. We all have one appointment that we have to keep. One that won't wait, won't be late, and won't be canceled.

Make the most of your time today. Love your family and your friends. Recognize each day as the gift that it truly is. God is kind, loving, and merciful, but when He calls you home, there is no more time. If you know Him today, thank Him for the blessing of another day. If you don't know Him, I challenge you to take the time today to read His Word and get to know His Son. He is waiting for you.

Ecclesiastes 3 (NIV)

A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


My family is experiencing a time to grieve right now. My Grandmother's husband, R.V. Tidwell, passed away Tuesday afternoon. Please remember my Grandmother in prayer today and tomorrow as she begins the funeral process, and in the weeks to come as she learns to live without him.

10 delightful comments:

Annikke said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that I will keep you, your grandmother and all of your family in my prayers.

Stacy said...

Praying for you, your grandmother and all of your family.

Mama K said...

How good for her that you were there for your Momo when she needed to ask that question. I can not imagine how hard it must be to lose the one you've lived with so long. I am so glad he knew God and they can plan to see each other again. What a comfort that is when death invades our lives.

Lois Christensen said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Having just visited my father's grave today, it is still so raw and it's been 10 months. I cherish the sermon books that my father gave me a few months before he passed. Sermons he spent many hours over studying, writing, praying. I run my hand over the typed words knowing that his hand once loving touched the same words. I will be praying for your grandmother and your family as you go through this hard time. But what a day it will be when you are all reunited again!!!

Busy Mom in CA said...

I am so sorry for your loss. My family will certainly keep you and your grandmother in prayer. I pray that God will comfort all of you and strengthen you during this time. Hugs!

Missy Wertz said...

I am so sorry for your loss. God is good and He will comfort you and your family during this time. Good advice about the watch. One of the grandsons will treasure it.

The soup and cornbread will be perfect for this type of weekend.

Knocked Up in Bama said...

Awww sweetie! Just read this!

Prayers ascending!!

Anonymous said...

What a very positive post, during what must be a really hard time for you! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Here I am on your blog again, and since you haven't posted anything new, I'll comment on this post again. :0) Thank you for the thoughtful comments on my blog! Yes, I am also working on a Christian fiction novel. It has helped me to write outlines of each chapter on paper before I start typing. But, like I said, I have been working on it since last November and haven't gotten very far, so I'm the last person you'd want to take advice from! lol

Amy K said...

Hi Lianne,
I think we are 2nd cousins, but I'm not sure of the linkage. I am Connie Duckworth's granddaughter, Linda's daughter here in Atlanta. We were so sad to hear about Mr. Tidwell. Your grandmother is one of the sweetest ladies with the warmest smile. Please give her a hug for us.
-Amy K.