These photos are precious to me..more precious than they’ve ever been. They are of Robert’s sister Ferna (top) and her children Wayne and Katie (bottom). Of course they are years old, but they are the only ones I could find on short notice…this post I need to write.

As you may remember, Ferna was a single mom who struggled her whole life, but raised her family, had a good job, and did the best she could. She retired two years ago, but last year she was diagnosed with cancer, and we lost her this past January. Katie lived with her, and she and Wayne have still been living with their grief and trying to carry on. Ferna’s birthday was July 5th, and this year was the first one with their mom in heaven. Three days ago, Katie began to feel bad, experiencing horrible heartburn/indigestion that would not go away. She went to sleep in spite of it but the next morning her boyfriend found her unresponsive, called 911, but Katie passed away right after that. She was 45. They believe it was a heart attack.

Wayne is now the only member of his original family left (his dad died years ago). He is struggling mightily to get through each moment right now, plan Katie’s funeral, and somehow move on. Oh, and Katie’s birthday is August 29. He will face that day also..this time by himself…at 43.

And why am I blogging about this? To elicit sorrow and compassion and pity?  Absolutely not!  I am writing because of our AND YET God!  Church this morning was amazing, and our pastor said exactly what I needed to hear.  With Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I have hope.  And not just ANY hope, but a living hope! Because of Jesus, Wayne can stand.  Because of Jesus, Robert and I can stand, and minister to Wayne and Katie’s family.  Because of Jesus, the rest of the family can also stand through this…and grow stronger in the process.  Because of Jesus.  And only Jesus!

This verse explains it all:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved for you in heaven.”  I Peter 1:3-4  Wayne has had SO much taken away from him…his dad, his mom, and now his sister.  But the promise of God is that there is MORE.  Much more.  There is an eternity with God in a place called Heaven, filled with His presence and glory, void of any pain or sorrow.  There are mansions and streets of gold, and the promise of no more separation from our loved ones!

Since we got the news of Katie’s passing away, my heart and mind have been filled with thoughts and memories of her.  I have been stunned by the suddenness and finality of losing her at the age of 45…the same age as my stepdaughter.  It is so hard to grasp it, but I know that it’s true.  And yet!  God is on His throne, and His plan is greater and more involved than I will ever know.  Even before we are born, He writes down the number of our days (Psalm 139:16).  Ferna’s death, Katie’s death, my own eventual death…these are not surprises to Him.  He has ordained these lives we live in His time, for His purpose, as part of His great plan to bring Himself glory, and to allow us to be used by Him and participate in His work!

So how do we get through these difficult times?  By trusting the verses in I Peter, and others.  By acknowledging that we are hopeless and helpless, and that there is NOTHING on this earth that will comfort us.  Jobs can be lost, possessions can be taken away, relationships can end….but the LIVING HOPE that we have in Jesus is that when all is said and done, and it may even appear that we have lost everything, He is there.  And He has promised His children-His born again by the blood of Jesus believers – that more is coming!  Better.  Far superior.  Riches of an eternal nature that are “imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away”.  God is still on His throne, His plan is still in place, and we have the promise of eternity with Him.  And that is enough.  Amen.