My Source of Comfort

This past week has been one of the most difficult weeks of my life. Although spending time with family was SO enjoyable and needed, our fellowship was clouded with grief. But you know, through it all, it is the Living Hope that turns our mourning into dancing, our sorrow into joy.
As we stood over Grandma in her casket, we asked, "Do you think she is watching us?" Does God allow us to look back? If so, I hope Grandma sees how much we love her and even though we sorrow in her absence, we rejoice in her reunion with her Saviour.
Going back to the "homestead" was hard. Just driving into Kingston revived so many memories. I quietly cried myself to sleep many nights, and still when I close my eyes I see memories of Grandma. I had the opportunity to give a tribute to Grandma at the funeral. I held her cold hand. I kissed her memory. But none of this brought the hope and joy amidst the pain like my loving Father's Word brought to me.
It is the Living Hope of Eternal Life- the gift of Salvation- the reward of eternal glory, that lifts my spirit. I just don't know how people go through sorrow without a Loving Lord to shower His grace and love upon His weary children. I am SO Thankful for this experience. It is a win-win. As much as we will miss Grandma, this whole experience has strengthened my faith is more ways than I can even share. I can't wait to join her someday.
The Lord gave me this Scripture early last week. Everytime I grow weary in sorrow, I take refuge in this reminder that we have a Heavenly Hope!

I Peter 1:3-12
All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
This salvation was something the prophets wanted to know more about. They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, even though they had many questions as to what it all could mean. They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They wondered when and to whom all this would happen.
They were told that these things would not happen during their lifetime, but many years later, during yours. And now this Good News has been announced by those who preached to you in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be his children—is holy. For he himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy.”