I feel my husband's presence all around me. He was pretty much the center of my life for forty-three years. I don't think of him as 'lost'. How can someone be lost if you know where they are? I know Van, as everyone called him, is with his heavenly Father and as much as he loved his life here and wanted to be with his family and friends, he'd never come back if given a choice. Once we get to our eternal home, we want to stay there. I look forward to spending eternity with him.
Van was the one who listened to my every dream and worked to make each one come true. Believe me, I know how blessed I was to have this man for my husband. When we first begin to date in 1972, he was a new Christian and so excited about this new life in Christ and studying the Bible. I thought it was good to go to church and be a nice person, but I wasn't sure I wanted to be involved with the 'born again' fanatics. So when he invited me to join him at a Bible study at the home of old friends, Glenna and Keith, I hesitated. I think I expected his religious friends to be judgmental, but all I experienced was love and acceptance.
I had my own plans and wasn't sure I wanted to be involved in a serious relationship at that time. He passionately pursued me. We fell in love while studying the Bible. I softened and when he asked me to marry him, I knew that was the right thing to do. He was mentally healthier than most people I've ever known. He didn't have 'issues', he just lived his life as best he could and walked by faith.
Each life that God creates has a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is very evident, other times, not so much. I wrote a story a few years ago and within the story was what I called 'A Memorial'. Van liked it a lot, and one day he said that maybe I ought to read it as his memorial. I did that, now I'd like to share it with you. It's meant to give peace, joy and hope to those who are hurting or struggling in some way.
"God is our creator. He gives us life; that little spark that ignites to create a living being which science can't quite explain. God has a purpose for every life He creates. He has set our boundaries and determined what period of history we are born into. He has carefully chosen our parents and siblings, or lack of them, and like a potter with clay, has molded us into His plan. We're made of matter and energy - we have a body, soul and spirit. God will use all of us for His purpose, and ultimately for His glory. The physical part of our body will perish, but the energy which is 'us' will live on and the day will come that He'll give us a new body. Our life here lasts for a moment; eternity is forever."
A perfect God has created a perfect place called heaven. Only perfect people will be there and this presents a problem for every one of us. But, our heavenly Father had the perfect solution.
At the appointed time in history, He came to earth as a baby, born into humble surroundings. A flesh and blood Savior, who grew up in a family, worked as a carpenter, and walked among us so we could hear His voice, touch Him, be touched, and see His glory. God first called creation into existence, and then salvation came through Jesus Christ. In order to enter this perfect heaven we must have a personal relationship with Him. He doesn't count us like grains of sand on the beach; He calls us by name, and we respond.
All the days of our life have been written in a book, before there was one. God's timing is flawless and just as He choose the time of our birth, He will chose the time of our death, having numbered our days and counted our steps. When it's time to join Him, He sends His angels for us; we do not die alone. Nothing interferes with God's plan and from His point of view; no life has been cut short, or lasted too long.
We can never judge what happens between God and anyone else. His plan is far different from what any human would design. Salvation is never based on our good deeds, but rather on God's grace given to us through the gift of faith. If that were not so, we could attain forgiveness and perfection in our own right and Christ would have died on a cross for nothing.
Sometimes, God speaks to us in a whisper, and we whisper back. Our faith may not be evident to anyone but Him. We are broken; He is the healer and the love song we, who know Him, will sing forever!"
Scripture references used. . .
Genesis 2:7 - man became a living being
Ephesians 2:10 - we were created for good works
Acts 17:26 - our times have been set and places where we'll live
Romans 9:21 - God will mold us into who He wants us to be
Psalm 139:16 - all the days of our life have been written in a book
Job 14:5 - our days have been determined and limits set
Job 14:16 - our steps have been counted
Ephesians - 1:11 - God plans everything in accordance to His will
Luke 16:22 - angels will escort us to heaven
I Corinthians - 2:9 - what God has prepared for those who love Him
You will be blessed if you look up these verses in the Bible. We can write anything we want, if it's true, it must line up with God's Word. My wonderful husband now has a new vision as he sits down with the Lamb and praises the most Holy God.
It's a New Year - ask the Lord to bring a new vision into your life so you'll experience more peace, hope, joy and share the good news of the gospel to all who will listen.
Thank you Lord for the wonderful life I had with the man you gave me. Truly, he was a gift from you. I will feel his love forever.
