Freedom

We head off to a funeral.  the Papa’s life lived leaves room for debate on what really constitutes a life well lived.  while in the midst of all the events of the week, i don’t see what is different about us.  i only Thank God for the peace that has taken over my heart.  attending formal functions can be challenging for us-for anyone with children i suppose-as most children find using forks to be optional and wearing uncomfortable clothes to be stupid.

but upon reflection of this picture i move.

 from being thankful for peace in my heart to smile at my son’s chosen activity rather than panic in embarrassment (my more normal pattern). 

i move into awareness of his freedom. 

“life”  my dear friend declares when i show her the picture.

and my vision shifts and i look and i see it too. 

life here amongst death. 

for him, for us what is different is that there is no fear in death.

we are not afraid of it.  he is not afraid of it.

we walk among the graves and comment on the different dates and wonder about the lives lived and losses felt.

but my boy-he moves from there to the next logical place.

joy.

Oh Death where is your victory? oh grave where is your sting? 

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

the kids start school on tuesday-the younger two this coming tuesday, the oldest the folowing tuesday.  hence the long delays between posts! thank you for grace.