Wednesday, November 12, 2014

On the Endings of Things


I used to think that when I arrived in heaven I would be like an conquering hero returning to his homeland, banners rippling. But I hadn't lived long enough. Now I believe I will arrive rather unobtrusively, look for a soft place on the divine bosom, and just rest. 

The fact of my own coming resurrection must be dealt with on a conscious, day-to-day level. For a Christian, it is a reality as inevitable as death, but so much less to be feared. Just as we "build" the quality of our lives, day by day, surely we build our resurrections--or the hope thereof--in the same way. 

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. --Hebrews 6:17-20a.

We offer these thoughts in honor of Bonnie Grove, who is mourning today the loss of her father last week. Take comfort and peace from our love, dear sister.


In Memoriam:
A Saint Passes

Passing:
Like a little bird breaking
From small confines
Into limitless light, shimmering sun;
Breathless, wings beating,
Blinded by light, impatient,
Exhilarated;

And then
the joy of

Recognition
(waves of translucent luminance like foam on the
endless, untiring sea)
Ransom
Reunion
Rest--
(and eternity stretching as far
as the untroubled sky)

copyright, Latayne C. Scott

(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

4 comments:

Patti Hill said...

All I can say is thank you. This will be a blessing to Bonnie, I'm sure. But your words have brought grateful tears to my eyes this morning. Such anticipation, such joy, such comfort.

Lori Benton said...

I said farewell for now to my father a little less than a year ago. My heart and thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie now.

Latayne's poem carries the rhythm of my heart's beat.

A reader friend recently shared this song with me, never knowing how deeply it would touch me. Long Time Traveller. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/174796029263119353/

Latayne C Scott said...

My privilege to mourn with those who mourn.

Kristen Howe said...

My condolences to Bonnie. I feel her pain. I lost my mother 8 months ago tomorrow. It's been a rough writing year for me. Thanks for this post.