Dave’s mom, Elsie Florence Dodd Cook, died December 16,
2010. We had been living in North Carolina for five months after leaving her in
Kansas City at a facility that could manage her Alzheimer’s. The possibility of
death came on very suddenly and it wasn’t expected at all. Dave was attending an
end-of-the-year sales meeting in Minnesota when he got the call. When the company President found out about Elsie, he insisted Dave leave the meeting immediately. Dave drove to Kansas City to join his sister, Nancy, and brother, Bob, at their mom's side that evening, and they spent the night reminiscing with laughter and
fun. Although Mom was unconscious, they talked to her, including her in the
conversation. They left close to midnight and Elsie passed away about 3:00 the
next morning.The funeral was in Kansas City a week before Christmas and we lived in North Carolina. It was a disruption, for sure; but it isn’t abnormal. Death happens, often spontaneously, just like the joyful events of life. They occur despite the calendar or the expectations we have for our lives. No one wants to interrupt the joyous celebrations and events we enjoy around Christmas with the sadness that accompanies a funeral. Yet, we manage to handle it, don’t we?
As a corollary to the initial event, the fact is, the loved
one is missed during the festivities each year. Not everyone can cope with the
juxtaposition of joy and grief. But do you realize that, as Christians, we are
the only people who can do that? Because of our Lord’s sacrifice, we can know
the grief of His death and yet, we cannot keep from rejoicing that His
sacrifice gives us the opportunity to know the Father. Grief and joy, rejoicing
and sadness. How…?
I think David explains it well in verse 4. (I’ve taken the
liberty to paraphrase it.) ‘When sadness
brings me to a place of despondency and my heart is assailed with gloom, I am reminded
that I can have joy despite my sadness, because you are still beside me and
will walk me through it.’ Isn’t that right? Grief is a natural emotion as a personal (as opposed to making a public display) response to death, loss and separation. Experience it, walk through it and, when the intensity has
diminished, you can respond with joy—to memories and the knowledge your loved
one will be waiting for you in Heaven.
Ladying for today: God gave us the emotions of grief and joy. Grief helps us walk through
loss and we can look forward to joy. Because of Jesus “…you may not grieve as others who have no hope.” I
Thessalonians 4:13 (MEV). Satan capitalizes on tragedy…don’t
let him steal your joy while your guard is down! And you, don’t give up your
joy for continued grief and sadness. Let the life of your loved one settle in
your heart alongside the joy his/her life brought you. Then, you can pass it
along to those who come behind you. There’s no higher honor than to share another’s
life with those you love.
It’s Christmas and the Savior has come!
