Period

"Death died when Christ arose."   That quote is perfectly included in today's devotional from "At His Feet".  You remember the one.  The little leather-bound book that Bonnie gave me two Christmases ago.  Somehow she knew I was going to need it.  As usual, she was right.

If you've followed our CaringBridge site, and now this blog, you already know that I do not believe in coincidences in the Kingdom.  Today is another of those non-coincidences. 

As many of you will recognize, today marks five months since Bonnie took her step into Heaven.  I've dreaded this day for a month now.  Those of us who have lost loved-ones understand that firsts, anniversaries, holidays, birthdays all come to have special significance.  As soon as one is over, another one looms.  For me......for now... these days are something to get through, not celebrate.  I've been concerned about getting through this day for a month.

Then, I turned the page to March 30  in the devotional.  This particular devotional is one that spells out how I get through each day.  It spells out why there are limits to my grief.  It reveals why it is so very important for us to take every opportunity to witness to people about our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is why, quite honestly, I write about this "Journey". 

"The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.  They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."  Mark 9:31. "He is not here; He has risen, just as he said."  Matthew 28:6.  You either believe this or not.  To paraphrase the devotional:  To those who do not believe it and have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, death is the end.  Period.  For those of us who do believe it and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, Jesus removes the period.  With Him, we have everlasting life. 

So, when I go on my daily walks with Hobo and we go into the cemetery, I am not going to where Bonnie is buried.  I am going to remember her as she was here and to give thanks for where she is and what she is experiencing now.  Jesus put a limit to my grief.  He removed the period.

In the midst of my sorrow at not having her beside me, He gave me the knowledge that He is in control and that Bonnie is with Him. 

Please allow me to quote directly from the devotional:  "The promise of this (Jesus') resurrection is astounding.  Every privilege of the risen Jesus, in all of His glory is offered to us to partake in.  It is the reality of the eternal promises of God.  In His resurrection He intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Hebrews 7:25); He lives in us (John 14:20, Galatians 2:20); and He exercises all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).  Not only is he exalted, but we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6); we are fellow heirs of His inheritance (Romans 8:17) and we have eternal life (John 6:40).

"These are magnificent and astonishing truths.  We could spend a lifetime - make that an eternity - letting them sink in."

Can you imagine?  Can you even begin to imagine?  If you believe and trust in Him, you will have all eternity to do so.  That is what Bonnie knew.  That is how she lived.  She said many times that she was not afraid to die.  I believe her....she wasn't.  These promises are why.  She is partaking of all those promises now.  For that knowledge, I am so very thankful.

This knowledge does not make my loneliness go away.  It does not make me miss her any less.  To say it does would be a lie.  My grief at her going is perhaps less intense than it was, but it is still ever-present and heavy on my heart.  What this knowledge does is to put a limit on my grief.  It gives me something  to which to aspire....something to look forward to...something worth far more than anything this earth has to offer.  The period is gone.