This weekend has been un poco heavy. Beautiful, but grave. Friday morning at breakfast, our host mom broke the news to Ariana (I was still sleeping at the time) that her mother had just died of a heart attack five minutes ago. Ariana (and I when I heard the news) was shocked and concerned for Myriam (especially since she just lost her husband to a heart attack this past December). Myriam showed no signs of sadness or anything (until the funeral today) and explained that she was used to having to say goodbye to people she cares about because she's been doing it at the end of every semester for the past 12 years. Thank you, God, for preparing her to deal with these serious losses. Also thank you for putting Ariana and I here with her right now to be a support to her and shine your love into her life.
Of course at times like these you can't help but think more about life and death and eternity. We really should think of it more often. For those of us who know and believe and live for God, death is (or should be) a welcome reward, something to look forward to. The loss of loved ones is unpleasant, but if they too love the Lord, then even this is bearable. The problem comes for those who don't yet know or haven't given in to full, life-transforming faith. And oh what a problem it is. I don't know how these people don't live in constant fear of death. And I don't know how I handle knowing and loving people that haven't accepted the gift of eternal life. It's sad, it's heavy, it's bothersome. It should call me to action.
The funeral today was a Catholic one. I won't take time to talk about how ridiculous some of their traditions are to me. Where do they get their ideas from? Certainly not the Bible I'm reading. Everything in this service was cold, distant, unsympathetic, dull. (protestant) Christian services vary but in my experience, they are often filled with love, compassion, and celebration (when appropriate). I like this much better. Something I don't like is how much responsibility the family members have to carry. Myriam was in charge of everything. What a burden! Just let her grieve. Funerals should just be a time of recollecting together, celebrating the person's old life, being thankful for their better life (when appropriate), and praying for strength for those of us left behind. I'm glad I was able to go and support Myriam in some small way. I think it strengthened the bond of our relationship. Isn't it great how God can make good come out of everything?!
1 Corinthians 15:16, 17
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Do You Realize, by The Flaming Lips (yes, I can play this on guitar)
[[Do you realize, everyone you know, some day, will die? ...And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know you realize that time goes fast. It's hard to make the good times last. You realize that the sun doesn't go down; it's just an illusion caused by the world spinin' round.]]
Of course at times like these you can't help but think more about life and death and eternity. We really should think of it more often. For those of us who know and believe and live for God, death is (or should be) a welcome reward, something to look forward to. The loss of loved ones is unpleasant, but if they too love the Lord, then even this is bearable. The problem comes for those who don't yet know or haven't given in to full, life-transforming faith. And oh what a problem it is. I don't know how these people don't live in constant fear of death. And I don't know how I handle knowing and loving people that haven't accepted the gift of eternal life. It's sad, it's heavy, it's bothersome. It should call me to action.
The funeral today was a Catholic one. I won't take time to talk about how ridiculous some of their traditions are to me. Where do they get their ideas from? Certainly not the Bible I'm reading. Everything in this service was cold, distant, unsympathetic, dull. (protestant) Christian services vary but in my experience, they are often filled with love, compassion, and celebration (when appropriate). I like this much better. Something I don't like is how much responsibility the family members have to carry. Myriam was in charge of everything. What a burden! Just let her grieve. Funerals should just be a time of recollecting together, celebrating the person's old life, being thankful for their better life (when appropriate), and praying for strength for those of us left behind. I'm glad I was able to go and support Myriam in some small way. I think it strengthened the bond of our relationship. Isn't it great how God can make good come out of everything?!
1 Corinthians 15:16, 17
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Do You Realize, by The Flaming Lips (yes, I can play this on guitar)
[[Do you realize, everyone you know, some day, will die? ...And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know you realize that time goes fast. It's hard to make the good times last. You realize that the sun doesn't go down; it's just an illusion caused by the world spinin' round.]]
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