Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Life is Fragile

2009 has been a year like no other for me. The fact that life is fragile and precious has been etched in my mind and heart over and over again. I came face to face with the stark reality of my own mortality this year. I grieved the death of my sweet grandmother this year. And I have lost more friends to death this year than any other time in my life. Every week as I go to the oncologist's office I am reminded that life is uncertain; we never know how long we have on this earth. I have many new friends who are daily fighting for their lives. In the midst of so much grief and loss I have also come to realize the true hope I have in Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. I am eternally grateful that He is.


Nelson 1992 - 2009
La Carpio, Costa Rica



Sweet Nelson, I miss your smile already. 'Til we meet again...
I am praying for your many friends and family.


"There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven:

  a time to be born and a time to die...
a time to weep... a time to mourn"
Ecclesiastes 3


"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;"
Psalm 34:18


“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16


"Pay attention, come close now, 
listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. 
I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you, 
the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love." 
Isaiah 55:3

3 comments:

  1. Life is so fragile and I admittedly live it so carelessly sometimes. This has been a tough year for you in so many ways, so many losses and at the same time, such a huge awareness of God's comfort.
    Nelson....what a sweet face. I would of liked to of known him.
    Thank you for the scriptures, life giving this morning!

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  2. I did know Nelson and he was as sweet as he looks. My best memory of him was Lalo (Steve Edwards) and Nelson singing an original song together. I think the words were something like, "I don't have much money, but I have the love of God". I have prayed for his path for quite a while. Goodbye Nelson.

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  3. My memory of Nelson is how much he meant to my Dad who bonded with him on our mission trip. He worked with Nelson daily while we were there and touched my Dad deeply. My Dad would ask me often if I had heard anything about him. He kept Nelson in his prayers and never forgot him. My Dad asked me recently if I thought maybe we could make it back there this year. Sadly if we do go we won't see Nelson. It was hard sharing the news with Dad but it is comforting to know he is in a much better place.

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