No mourning

No!  I will not mourn for her. 

Even though my heart skips a beat and a lump forms in my throat constricting my airway, I will not mourn for her. The tears I shed may be for me or others she leaves behind. Perhaps for the world around me because she made it a better place. This world has been different because of her.  Without her a gaping hole will remain that no other person can fill. It is just her size. 

Her testimony to loving her family. Her witness in doing for her church family. Her life lived for Christ. 

And isn’t that what we are each called to?

I can’t mourn for her. 

She had a glorious expectation of seeing her Savior. An excitement beyond comprehension for the anticipation of rest. Not just any rest but the rest offered by her Creator. 

To mourn for her would be doubting the promise of that rest. My mourning is for me. My mourning is for others. My mourning is for this world. 

I want to celebrate for her. I want to shout hallelujah and sing praises to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for the eternal rest and peace she enters into by escaping the hold of this temporary world. 

Yes!  I. Will. Celebrate. For. Her. 

And I will remember her smile. I will remember how she accepted teasing with grace. And returned it with fun. I will remember her attention to the preservation of memories. History should be remembered.  I will remember the care she gave to people and the resources given to house a congregation. I will remember her commitment to community. I will remember her sincerity. 

She rests now leaving a legacy of faith and commitment to God. 

We who remain should learn from a life well lived. Ours is not a place of ease and luxury. Ours is a place of working until that day we enter that eternal place of rest. 

So remember the example she was. Remember her tenacity. Remember her longevity. Remember the work of her hands. Remember her commitment to Christ. Remember her commitment to community. Remember her commitment to family. Remember her when you just don’t know what to do next. Look for it and do it unto the Lord.