Our family has taken another turn in Pam’s passing and each new one seems a bit more challenging than the last. The thing about this journey is that you’re never quite sure how far you have to go; there is no GPS or ETA. We appreciate your prayers.
Here’s my most recent love letter:
Darling Pam,
I remember when my Mom was passing that you seized the opportunity to redirect her focus by guiding her through a study of Heaven. Do you remember telling her that you and I always study our destinations before we travel? In this way, you guided her focus and brought comfort to her transitioning soul.
Recently, I heard you ask if you would miss your puppy in Heaven. Allow me to try and comfort your transitioning soul.
Calvin famously once said, “We must speak where scripture speaks; we must keep silent where it is silent.” While scripture has quite a lot to say about heaven, there is also a lot that it doesn’t say.
So, rather than looking at the subject in your question, I’d like to look at your verb. “Will I miss…” the question implies a longing or the lack of some affection in your soul- when in heaven.
I have a high degree of certainty when I say, sweetheart, that your soul shall lack nothing in His presence. Every longing will be met or will have disappeared in that holy place.
I am therefore confident that there is coming a day when we shall all miss you sorely; your friends, your puppy, our family and most of all me. But, in that day, your joy will be complete.
And our grief will be tempered by the knowledge of the state of your soul. Truly, as asked by the prophet Hoses, “O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?”
We shall answer, with the Apostle Paul, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That where he is, you may be also (John 14:3) and your joy may be complete (filled, abounding, crammed full STRONG’S NUMBER:g4137)
I treasure these moments we have together, my sweetheart, while the veil between this world and that is thinning and your suffering is increasing, I find myself thinking more and more that your days of ultimate joy grow closer and closer.
I love you so much that it hurts as we dance through our final minefields and sail through our final storms, I have never loved you more!
All my love, eternally,
Brad
2 Responses
I weep as I read all of your most loving words. Your example of loving your precious bride as Christ has loved the church is indescribable, it leads me to worship him.
Thank you for allowing us to weep with you. It makes my heart so happy God has given you to her and her to you.
Praying as you both sit in God’s waiting room.
Thank you Brad for refreshing and reminding us of the reality that is to come for our dear Pam, here, in your grieving. As He tells us in 1 Cor, 15 that Pam will be in eternal glory and power and has been given eternal victory! The mystery will be revealed! The pain will be for us who are still here. She has loved us and all that have come into her sphere so wonderfully, with such Christlikeness, that the pain will be deep and wide at the separation. Roger and I are grateful for you both and how you both have enriched our lives. God is so very good!