Heavy Heart. We Have Hope.

Here’s what I hate: a heavy heart after sad news.

Bill and I received some very sad news from some friends this week.  It’s difficult to even write down what happened.  You see, their twin girls were delivered emergently yesterday and only one precious baby survived. 

Baby Grace is in the NICU and is doing well right now. 

It is such a strange mixture of emotions—rejoicing in the birth of a new baby and mourning the loss of the other.  If I am feeling this swirling sense of both sadness and joy how must the actual mother and father feel!? 

Much of our existence on earth can be this way—being pierced with the reality of death and sadness whilst also experiencing the fluttering winds of sweet joy that life generously offers. 

Disease,

destruction,

murder,

war,

rape,

steeling,

starvation,

attacks,

senseless crimes,

random accidents,

and especially death of the innocent leave us reeling, questioning, crying, and scared.

However, on this same spinning planet, we see

survival,

growth,

miracles,

unity,

true love,

generosity,

bountiful feasts,

humanitarian aid,

kindness,

random blessings, and

deep, incomprehensible joy. 

As I sit here in my home, snuggled under a blanket, listening to the birds singing, I am feeling both joy and pain for our friends. 

With tears in my eyes, I plead with the Lord to stay near to them, to bless baby Grace with life and health and many, many years to walk this planet and feel the array of emotions I feel today.  Because that’s what life on earth is—sun and storms, sickness and health, beauty and ugliness, smiles and tears. 

But, eternal life is something else entirely.

Eternity is looking into the eyes of One who knows us, loves us, wipes away our tears, heals our souls, restores our bodies, and welcomes us into a life more beautiful than we can comprehend.

Here’s what I love: I do not grieve as those who have no hope.  Because, one day, Jesus will make all things new.

"We grieve like no one else because sin, death and disease is not the final word. Jesus Christ is." --Michael Kelley