I Will Rise

I have a friend... a friendly acquaintance, really, who recently received a scary, hard-to-face diagnosis.

Our paths crossed in the foyer, yesterday, on our way into the church service. I touched her shoulder, caressed her back just a bit and told her I was praying.  She smiled, only slightly, and thanked me; you could see the weight of her burden in her face.

Spring

I don't think it's fear of the procedures and treatments ahead.  While not pleasant, I doubt those are the deepest source of her tears and sadness.  It's surely not of facing death; she's secure in Whose she is.

I think that it's because of the potential loss... the severed relationships. 

Summer

From where I sat, I could see her as easily as I could the pastor.  I observed her with her large family; often with head bowed, completely absorbing the message, the prayers, the songs, the Word.  I observed her family, their concern and their tenderness.

While we sang, I Will Rise, I thought (with my eyes brimming), if it were me it would be something like this:

'I look forward to eternity with you, Lord, but I'm not  quite ready to leave earth.  You have given me these, whom I cherish, and I'm just not ready to leave them. I'm a wife, and I'm not done sharing my life with him. I'm a mother, of some grown and some small; they need me.  I have these things (lessons and manners, grace and faith, pearls of wisdom) that I still want to teach them. Father, don't you remember; for my oldest daughter, we're planning a wedding.  And my youngest two, with their dark skin and foreign accents; they're just starting to feel comfortable in this family as daughters and siblings... with calling me mom.  I want my children's children to know their grandmother; I want to love them and influence them for Your glory. I'm not finished here.  It's too soon and I'm not ready to go."

I can only imagine, but I think that would be the prayer in my heart and on my lips, if it were me.

Autumn

And yet....

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

Winter

During a time of sharing in the service, her husband stood and shared a scripture that he has been teaching their two youngest children this past week.  With quivering chin, he relayed through the message of that scripture, that they are trusting in His sovereignty.


 Not the scripture he shared, but Ecclesiastes 3:1 also speaks to me of His sovereignty:

 

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens...

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, 

my confidence since my youth. ~ Psalm 71:5

Surely, she'll be made well in the end, and this will prove to have been an exercise in faith, trust and perseverence;.a true to life story.  He's giving her a voice so that at some point in her future, she can minister as one who knows.  She will have seen His glory in her own life; His powerful grace and His indescribable mercy.  And she'll testify to His power to someone who wouldn't know otherwise.  All the while, her husband will marvel at her countenance; how she trusts Him.  And her children... these are the very lessons they need.  They'll watch their mother lean hard into Him and they'll call her blessed...

...praising His holy name because of her.