It's Not Forever.

This life, I mean.  Eventually, we leave this earth and enter heaven, or we enter hell.  Death isn't scary if you are confident of your eternity.

But for those left here on earth after someone dies... it hurts.  It often does not feel temporary.  It feels like a giant hole has been ripped through you, a hole that will never heal.  It DOES heal, at least some.  It takes time, it takes faith, it takes hope, it takes support.  But healing happens.

Today, one of the best men I know is dancing in Heaven.  His son was there waiting, and his granddaughter, and so many others.  He's without pain, without chains, without flaws.  And I rejoice for him.  I truly do.

And my heart is aching, tears are flowing, for his family.  Because  good-bye hurts, even though it's not forever.  I remember how badly it hurt when my Gramma left my house healthy and happy, and didn't make it home.  That's as close as I can come to understanding what my friends, my family, are feeling.  Steven Curtis Chapman did a pretty good job of saying what's on my heart tonight.




This is not how it should be
This is not how it could be
This is how it is
Our God is in control

This is not how it will be
When we finally will see
We’ll see with our own eyes
He was always in control

And we’ll sing
Holy Holy Holy is our God
And we will finally really understand what it means

So we’ll sing
Holy Holy Holy is our God
While we’re waiting for that day

This is not where we planned to be
When we started this journey
This is where we are
And Our God is in control

Though this first taste is bitter
There will be sweetness forever
When we finally taste and see
That Our God is in control

And we’ll sing
Holy Holy Holy is our God
And we will finally really understand what it means

So we’ll sing
Holy Holy Holy is our God
While we’re waiting for that day
We’re waiting for that day
We’ll keep on waiting for that day

And we will know
Our God is in control
Holy Holy Holy
Holy Holy Holy
Our God is in control
Holy Holy Holy
Our God is in control
Holy Holy Holy

*This song was written and recorded by Steven Curtis Chapman.