What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Is It Time To Dance? Updated

This post was originally written on June 28, 2014, just a little over one month after the passing of our dear son Matthew from this life to heaven, following a four year battle with cancer.  When I wrote this I was still  reeling from the pain of saying farewell to our son, and trying to cope with the reality of never seeing him again on this earth.  Now, as of today, 5/25/2022, it has been eight years since that day. A lot has happened in this span of time...we've added new members to our family, and we've said farewell to some other dear ones.  By the time we reach heaven's gates ourselves, I have a feeling there will be more of us waiting there than there are here. It's just the way life is.  Today I haven't really felt like writing...our nation is grieving over the horrific tragic loss of so many precious children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas. My heart is breaking and grieving with those families who have lost their precious children to a crazed madman.  They didn't have the opportunity to say good bye to their child...they had no time to prepare for their unexpected passing from this earth to heaven. Their hearts are broken...for them there is no sense of peace or comfort at this time.  Some may never get to the place where they will feel like it is time to dance ever again. But I pray for them...I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around them and cradle them close to His heart and just hold them, reassuring them of His great love and compassion...and helping them to know that their precious child is safe with Him now...they need not fear for their children anymore...they are where there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more sorrow or fear.  Safe in the arms of Jesus...there can be no better place to be. May God comfort them with those thoughts...and may they be at peace with God, knowing that they will one day be reunited because of their faith in Christ.  That is my prayer for them.  That is what comforts me eight years later. I pray they will also know this great comfort. Amen.

Here is the original post I wrote eight years ago:

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You."
Psalm 143:8


Today I read in "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young the following passage:

"Rest with Me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days.
The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.  Look neither behind you nor before you.
Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion.  Trust that I will equip you fully
for whatever awaits you on your journey."

Actually this particular devotional was written for yesterday's date, but I didn't look at it until today. No matter, it is still appropriate and right on.  Yes, I have journeyed up a "steep, rugged path in recent days." Saying farewell to our precious son until we reunite in heaven still seems unreal. Since his earthly home was over 1500 miles away from us anyway, it is easy to allow myself to think that he's still there waiting for us to come up and visit again.  But then the reality hits, and I remember that he's not there...and it will most likely be a long time before we see him again.

My husband the preacher says that time in heaven is not something they are focused upon like we are here on earth.  That is hard for us to understand because we are so governed by time. We must make every minute count, we can never be late, time is of the essence, hurry up and wait...

King Solomon thought about time quite a bit.  In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 he wrote:

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace."

I am still adjusting to this "new time" in my life.  I am not sure what time it is...I believe I am somewhere in the "time to weep and a time to laugh...A time to mourn, and a time to dance".  There are still moments when I feel like weeping and mourning...but there are also times that I want and need to laugh...and I find myself wanting to dance. Not a frenzied kind of dance...not even a waltz...just a holy dance between me and my Lord...where I allow Him to take the lead and twirl me around in His strong and capable arms...lifting me up above my grief and sorrow and showing me the new path that we will travel together. Such a lovely thought.

I am blessed beyond measure...I am not totally bereft of family...I still have my wonderful husband, two healthy and strong sons, a wonderful daughter in law and marvelous grandson...plus many other loved ones near and far.  I do not want to appear to be wallowing in self-pity or lacking in gratitude for all that God has done for me.  But there is this empty place in this mother's heart...a space that will always be missing that one precious son who has gone on to glory much too soon. 
Our precious son, Matthew.
2/25/1973 ~ 5/25/2014


So, what time is it in your  life?  I guess what I am learning is that no matter what season of life we may be in, there is much to learn...and we don't need to feel that we are all alone. God has promised to be with us in our life's journey...from beginning to end.  Perhaps you may discover that it is time for you to let Him take the lead...and just dance. I think I am beginning to understand that better now too.

19 comments:

  1. Praying for your new path that God will lead you to all understanding of His love and guidance. As I wrote the word guidance, I realize it ends in dance so dance and rejoice in that your son is with his and your Lord! Have a blessed day, Pamela.

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    1. Oh Wow, Sylvia...I never noticed that before....I love this thought...Let GOD be my GUIDE as we DANCE! That makes me feel like dancing for real! Thank you for that insight today. I think you are in a similar new place in your life...been through some rough paths lately, and I can see a shift in your thoughts and writing as well. May God be YOUR GUIDE as YOU dance with Him each day. Love to you and your sweet hubby today.

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  2. This is beautiful, Pam. You are on my heart...and I am so sure it is a mixed bag of emotions. When we went to Maine, the place we stay is owned by a lovely older couple. Some of the regulars have been staying at the cabins on the lake for 60 years - since there own childhoods. The cabins were built in the 1800s and are so awesome and nostalgic. Anyway, when we arrived the daughter explained to us they lost their son (her brother) at 44. Suddenly, 18 days earlier. Oh, my heart was so sad for them. I am not sure of their faith, but we left them a card of sympathy. I thought of you and your beautiful faith that allows you to dance. The look on their faces tells me I am not so sure about them...With love and prayers for your dance and journey.

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    1. How wonderful that God brought you to those people at a time like this. You may have been just the ray of SONSHINE that they needed. I know they must be really hurting. We are hurting enough, but at least we had a chance to say farewell to Matthew and spent some wonderful time with him before he died. They apparently did have that opportunity...and I can imagine just how hard that must be for them. I will pray for them too. Glad you had a good time. Praying for you as well. May God dance with you on your journey.

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  3. I feel I am between times. I think this is due my age. God has been good to me and my family. I do a lot of keeping silent. Praying for you and yours. Blessings on you all.

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    1. Sometimes we need to keep silent before the Lord so we can hear what He is trying to tell us. The message may not always be clear, but we know that God is always looking out for our best in every situation. Each season of life has new challenges...but we are never alone. Praise God for that truth!! Thank you for your prayers. May God show you His love and mercy each day.

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  4. So sorry about your son…disease an enemy we can’t totally fight…these little children did not have to die…no one needs guns like that child bought…something can be done…yes we pray but actions are needed…

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  5. Pam, this is such a beautiful post! It really spoke to me since my word for the year is "dance." I am concentrating on letting the Lord do the leading in all things rather than fighting him and trying to do things my way, in my own time. And I am learning there is a time to dance...usually more often than I think if my focus is on Him

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  6. P s
    Love your blog and the way you answer…sweet…love our memory garden…

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  7. To allow our God to take the lead in the dance of our life shows the ultimate trust in His ability to show compassion, provide comfort, and to lead us victoriously forward in pursuit of His kingdom. I am so grateful to Him this evening for giving me words to write a poem/blog for Friday. I felt so drained, so defeated, so crushed. But God . . .
    He holds our loved ones in His eternal hands; nothing can defeat the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
    Blessings, Pamela!

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  8. What a sweet post. So sorry that Matthew went on ahead. I miss many family members too. All the death and anger saddens me as well. It's so unnecessary. As you know, guns, nor any other weapon, are not the problem. The problem is sin and failing to recognize it in our lives and follow the teachings of Christ. When God was taken out of the schools, the devil took His place. I'm so thankful we have Jesus. Without Him we all would be a great, big gloppy mess.
    Love ya friend. Sending prayers for us all to heal, to witness while there's time, and be bold for Him every day that others may be saved.
    Blessings.
    Sparky xx

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  9. Many God-given comforts at this anniversary time.

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  10. Thank you for sharing (and resharing your previous post)...and the reminder to all of us who know Christ as our savior...that He is the giver of grace, the great comforter, the one who knows every tear we shed and is able to restore our joy. During days and times when there are no words...we can rehearse these wonderful truths. Blessings to you as you reflect on Matthew's Heaven birthday! Your posts are a blessing to me (and to many)!

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  11. What beautiful sentiments you've shared, Pam! I do pray that Uvalde's survivors know Christ and can seek a measure of peace from His love. The photos you've chosen to illustrate your words particularly resonate; I've always felt drawn to the woods and mountains. That last image looks like Matthew's asking God, "Which way would you have me go?"

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  12. thinking of you today my sweet friend . Gentle hugs

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  13. this is a beautiful post! I am truly sorry for your loss, and that you have peace and comfort at his anniversary time. Love and hugs GINA ps I have a new post

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  14. I hear you - I know that loss as well and for me its been 19 years but Moms don't ever stop aching for their child's physical presence.

    I am praying for those families - I know that grief journey and it's not an easy one.

    Saying a prayer for you too, my friend. At 8 years I was still raw at times. It's something you never get over - you just learn to trust God with it all.

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  15. This is a beautiful post, Pam. One of the thoughts that keeps me going in the worst of times is that this is all temporary -- the best is yet to come and when it doesn't it will be unending. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  16. I love the verse you shared "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
    For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
    For I lift up my soul to You."
    Psalm 143:8 I'm going through some new seasons in my life as well.
    My sister had a verse from Ecclesiastes on her FB May 23. It's nice to read the chapter here tonight. I know that God is in every season with us. He is reminding me this week to trust in Him.
    Oh, how it must grieve the heart of God with the killing of those innocent children in TX and the teacher. I cannot imagine.
    May God bring comfort to you also sweet Pam

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