Going Home
I think that I’m finally beginning to get a feel for what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. I say that now, because I’ve been thinking about the way I have been responding to Jennifer Palmer’s going home to be with our Father.
Many of you already know about Jennifer’s battle with cancer. (If you don’t, go to www.livejournal.com/~palmerlp) I have been in tears multiple times this week since hearing about her death on Tuesday morning. I feel as if I’ve lost a precious member of my family, and the truth is, I never even met her. I only know their family through the Blog format, and through her interaction with other IndyChurch members.
Part of me is even jealous that she’s with God even now and we are still left here to deal with all of the mess that is our daily lives. How I long for the day when we will all be in His presence, made perfect in every way. The only answer I have for why things turned out the way that they did is that God is a good God. I’m not saying I can make sense out of it all, because I can’t. But I know that God is a good God.
The good that I have received from Jennifer’s shared life via blog is that I have “seen” a life lived in Christian love, community, and peace in times of trial. I’ve read as Mark has poured out his heart in ways that would equal King David’s psalms. I’ve started questioning how I am living my life to bring glory to the King, and seen others do so as well. And I’ve seen others from all over touched by the struggle going on join in prayer and encouragement.
God continue to bless you, Mark and Micah. Know that I weep with you as you weep, and I moun with you as you morn, and that someday I will dance with you as you dance with Jennifer once again. It is a blessing to call you brother.
August 15th, 2003 at 6:53 am
Dancing - we do far to little dancing, don’t you think? My heart resonates with much that you say.
Making sense out of things is somewhat overrated when it comes to God. Though it could become my cop-out, I am satisfied with it being a mystery right now. Not afraid of not being certain.
You will love Micah and Mark - I’m sure they’ll come visit us soon.
mollie
August 19th, 2003 at 1:38 pm
Hey Teresa, I can grieve right along with you this week. I understand the mixed emotions. Sadness at pain, suffering, loss and thinking of those left behind. Joy at the REALITY of Jesus hugging our loved ones! When I was in High School, the pivotal man in my life, besides my dad - was Greg Telle. He was my Campus Life director. He and his wife basicallly adopted me and showed me that I could be loved from those outside my family unit. I didn’t think that was really possible. A few years ago, David and I went back to thank Greg and Jo for their part in my life of ministering Jesus. Greg passed away suddenly on this past Saturday.
My heart is torn, just like yours.
Love to you, my other hip