Back from Death, Into Life

Road Trip ~ eastern Sierras or eastern Jerusalem ~ return from Death Valley

His is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Jesus died on Friday and arose on Sunday.  In between, He battled the forces of hell in a death valley that I shudder to visualize let alone ever think of entering.  He did this so that I may never have to take that journey.  He did so that I, that you, may live.

A dear friend of my husband's died last week after a 24-year battle with multiple sclerosis.  It's a hideous disease that slowly took away her bodily functions until there was no more of her.  Yesterday, on the Saturday of Easter weekend, we attended her funeral, or more appropriately, her life ~ and afterlife ~ celebration.  I didn't know Kerry that well but what every single person said about her is what I know to be true:  she had an unwavering faith in her God.  She knew that despite any affliction she may encounter on earth, her God loved her unconditionally and would never abandon her.

Kerry had a joie de vivre that was infectious.  Despite an earthly body slowly betrayed her, she lived with a twinkle in her eye, an appreciation of the beauty and special moments of life, a tenacity of belief that life was to be lived to the fullest coupled with a wicked sense of humor.  Most of all, Kerry lived love because God was love.  She encouraged others around her without hesitation while shrugging off her own pain and discomfort.

One of her friends said it so eloquently.  "I'm judgmental," she says. "Kerry was not.  She saw the good, the hope, the love in everyone and everything.  Once, when she was enjoying the beauty of her flower garden, I asked how she could see the flowers when it was so full of weeds. 'Is it?' Kerry responded.  'I never noticed.'  I wanted what Kerry had.  Through her actions and words, she taught me how to seek and live life in the beauty and hope of unconditional love from her God."

Her God.  My God.  Your God.  Our God.  The God who went to death valley and back so that we don't have to.  The God who triumphantly arose on Easter Sunday morning so that we all may live.  Kerry has passed over into a world with no multiple sclerosis, no pain, no slow disintegration, no eventual death. 

 

Thank You, Lord, for your journey into death valley.  Welcome back!

 He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!