Will I See You There?

So it has been a while a lots has happened and this one is going to be hard to write. In the midst of being sick, piling up medical bills along the way, and selling our house I have learned a very real lesson. My cousin died at the age of 22. It was an unexpected death and I took it especially hard not because we were really close but he and his family has changed people's lives with the goodness of God.

The fact of the matter is that none of us have control over our lives and none of us exactly know when our time here on earth might be over. I do rest on the fact that I know that it was not "God's will" or "God's time" for him to die. God is only good and does not steal, kill, or destroy (John 10:10). I believe Thomas (my cousin) was stolen from us. The devil in his web of lies would love for us to believe that it was God's doing but it simply cannot be. How can a God who is perfect love inflict pain on his children. That would be like me purposely wanting to hurt my children to a extreme level. Now, what parent in their right mind would do that? He is our Daddy in heaven and cares for us more than anything but unfortunately we live in a broken world thanks to that darn apple. Sin has left a foothold in our lives for the devil and he loves to wreck havoc on us and turn our eyes away from God's love.

The beauty of this evil act the the devil inflicted upon our family is that Jesus has already overcome. Now, this does not take the pain away but it gives us a Great Hope. I could not imagine trying to understand death apart from Christ. I am assured in knowing that Thomas knew Christ as his Savior and followed him. Does this mean that he did everything correctly in his short lifetime, probably not, but the way he lived his life was different and everyone knew it. Thomas was the kinda guy that didn't say a lot. Isn't it amazing that your actions speak louder than words. I am draw to people that have so much Light in them that they need not say anything but you know they have the Holy Spirit. Many other people must be the same way. How many people have a funeral procession that is well over a mile long (he was only 22)! My aunt and uncle greeted people for hours (about four and a half). Even though Thomas is gone, God is still not through using him to further his message of love.

I hope that no parent with have to got to sleep sobbing and wake up the next morning to realize that there child is still not there. Nor do I want anyone to go through the grief of losing a loved one. Most of all it is my hearts cry to know that the people I love here on Earth will be with me in heaven. My aunt said at the funeral, "make sure your spiritual arrangements are in order because we want to see you there with us." No other religion on Earth says all you have to do is believe and receive your Lord. Christ love is a gift, and I believe that Christ gave his best gift to us! "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"- Prefontaine. I believe it would be dropping the baton if we were to not to accept that gift from God, not only for us, but for those who love us. The greatest thing about a gift is there are no strings attached, but you do have to open it. Open your heart to Christ and you will be overwhelmed by the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness the God gives. I am so glad I have, my life has changed.

http://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-of-salvation.html