Made to Last Forever

Yesterday, my daughter and I attended the Celebration of Life service for Ron Haake, the precious husband of our dear cousin, Noreen. The family knew his graduation day was close at hand because his health had declined, but no matter when the time comes, we still experience the sudden jolt of separation of the one we have loved, done life with, dreamed and made memories with and served. It was an honor to attend the memorial service because we heard so much more about this wonderful man than what we had known before. The common theme throughout the service was that he was a man of wisdom, great humor, joy-giver, a mentor, patient, strong, and loved God and his family with all his heart.

There are so many emotions wrapped up in times of saying goodbye to a loved one: gladness/sadness, rejoicing/grieving, remembering/forgetting, keeping their things/giving things away, making decisions quick/slow. The words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3 are so true: “There's "a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" -- and oh, so many more highs and lows.

From this widow's firsthand experience to Noreen and others, I say this: you'll have a roller coaster ride of emotions. I, too, know how much it hurts to see a loved one in so much pain. I know what it is for my loved one to "go home". I know what it is to not know what tomorrow holds. But, hold on children! Trust me when I tell you that the time comes when reality sets in and we realize "My loved one is gone. But, I'm not. I'm still here, so God isn't finished with me yet. Now it's time to run my race strong to my Finish Line!"

A resource book I've held dear to my heart is Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life". My favorite chapter is the one that is entitled "Made to Last Forever". This excerpt blesses me so much: "This life is not all there is. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death, in eternity, than you will here. Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. This life is preparation for the next. The Bible says, "No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord." 1 Corinthians 2:9. For those who have a relationship with God through Jesus, we don't need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of our time on earth, but it won't be the last of us. Rather than being the end of our life, it will be our birthday into eternal life."

Ron's bags were packed. He was prepared and when his name was called, he walked through that door to eternity. As I was my sweetheart's midwife pushing him through that door, so was Noreen as she watched him go home last week. I loved how their son, Eric, concluded his talk about his dad. He said “My dad gave us another lesson for us to live by when my mom bent down to kiss him – he puckered up his lips. It was his last action on this earth and his last lesson for us to live by. I suggest that it be the rule to live by, too! Husbands and wives, pucker up more and life will be a lot sweeter.

Here's the best news of all.....we didn't say "Goodbye, Ron"; we just said, "See ya' later!" And, if we live each day as if it were our last, then we'll walk through that door to our home sweet home one day, too. The bands will be playing, the choirs will be singing and our loved ones will be on the sidelines cheering for us loud and strong as we cross our Finish Line. In the meantime, let's give our best to God in each day while we live with eternity in our hearts. I intend to finish strong right along with you!
I'll see ya' later!

Made to Last Forever

Jack Silvey, husband, of my dear friend, Jo Silvey, graduated to heaven yesterday. We knew this day was close because Jack has been ill for quite some time, but nevertheless when the time comes, we still experience the sudden jolt of separation from the one whom we have loved, adored, celebrated, served, made memories with, and dreamed with. So many emotions wrapped up in theses times: gladness/sadness, remembering/forgetting, rejoicing/grieving, funeral/graveside, keep their things/give away things, make decisions quick/slow, and with King Solomon we live his words from Ecclesiastes 3: There's "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance"....... and oh, so many more highs and lows. From this widow's first hand experience to Jo and others, I can tell you, it's a roller coaster ride of emotions. I know what it means to watch my loved one in so much pain; I know what it is for my loved one to "go home"; I know what it is to have to deal with financial issues; I know what it is to not know what tomorrow holds. But I can tell you the opportunity will soon be given to realize "My loved one is gone....but I'm not. I'm still here, so God isn't finished with me yet. Now it's time to run MY RACE strong to the Finish Line!"

One of the resource books I'm reading during my one month hiatus with God, is Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life". How applicable was the chapter, "Made to Last Forever" that was in my readings, yesterday. Listen to this excerpt: "This life is not all there is. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on on the other side of death -- in eternity -- than you will here. Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. This life is preparation for the next. The Bible says, "No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord." 1 Corinthians 2:9. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won't be the last of you. Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday into eternal life. Years ago a popular slogan encouraged people to live each day as "the first day of the rest of your life." Actually, it would be wiser to live each day as if it were the last day of your life. Matthew Henry said, "It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day."

With those words, I'd like to congratulate my friend, Jack Silvey, because his bags were packed, he was prepared and when his name was called, he walked through that door to eternity. As I was my sweetheart's midwife pushing him through that door, so was Jo as she watched him go home yesterday. Here's the best news of all.....we didn't say "Good bye, Jack"; we just said, "See ya' later", because as we live each day as if it were our last.....then we'll walk through that door to our HOME SWEET HOME, too, and the bands will be playing, choirs will be singing and all our beloved loved ones will be on the sidelines cheering for us loud and strong as we cross our Finish Line. In the meantime, let's give our best to God in each day on this side of heaven while we live with eternity in our hearts. I intend to finish strong right along with You and You and You! See ya' later!