Early last night, I received a call that my 98 year old grandma had passed away. The news didn't surprise as they had called her family home on Saturday, but the realness of the news made me sad. Anytime someone we love passes away, there is loss, pain and emptiness.
We shared the news with our children, who had loved "driving" Grandma to lunch in her wheelchair, and the questions began. My 3 year old innocently said, "Who will be my grandma Biwer now?" and our 5 year old son asked, "Who will take her place?"
The honest answer is hard because nobody can replace this wonderful woman God created and blessed us with for 98 years. Though I miss her, I'm confident she is in a better place and I'm thankful for the role she has played in my life through the years.
She has influenced and impacted many people through the years starting with her 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. The legacy there alone is wonderful.
And now in her death she continues to impact me as her passing causes me to reflect and think about what really matters. Regardless of how many years I have left, I pray that God would bless me the way He has her and that I would honor Him the way she has done.
I ask that you would keep her children and family in your prayers as we work through the grief and sadness. But as we pray for comfort, we also lift prayers of praise and thanksgiving because now Grandma is reunited with Grandpa - just in time to celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
1 comment:
Jill,
I will pray for you and your family during this time of grieving for your sweet grandmother! What a life of impact!
I haven't been able to do alot of posting, but I've tried to keep up with the study and read blogs.
I hadn't read your last Chapter entry until just now.
I wish I could give you a big hug to tell you I understand. I know the feelings that make you question and then that make you angry at GOD. I am so glad you are authentic with HIM! Never let anyone talk you out of it! The roots of bitterness grow deep when we don't come clean to HIM who already knows all things.
I kept thinking "why" along with you. I kept thinking how my family must have thought "why?" when their baby girl died at 17 months and I was born a little over a year later - looking exactly like the baby they had lost.
They are grieving over someone they all adored and I'm born and it's accepted with GOD'S grace by some and others turned away from me and more tragically, GOD.
I know HE will tell us when we are there...until then...it's faith in HIM that HE knows - the end from the beginning..literally.
I am praying for you. As Beth Moore says, "Just tell HIM how you feel. HE already knows and HE can handle it".
Love and prayers,
Teri
Post a Comment