WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

My mom passed away a couple of weeks ago. In 1 Corinthians 15:55, God tells Christians to consider the question: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” The answer is that for Christians who take their last breath on earth, death no longer has a sting, and the grave has no victory either. We pass from one life to another, a life that is wonderful and everlasting in heaven. But when a pivotal person passes away, those of us who are left are sometimes forced to answer a different question: “Where do we go from here?” Everything is different now and it's kind of scary and empty feeling.

My mom’s passing was the end of an era: No dad and mom anymore, no more Christmases like before, no more laughing at silly cards, no more talking about the deer and birds we saw out her big picture window. Certain traditions stop suddenly, and I ask myself: “What now?”  I realize many of you have experienced what I’m feeling now, and you’ve gotten through it. People have lost husbands, wives, children, siblings, parents, best friends. People have lost their countries altogether. I never knew until now, how many things can change as a result of certain losses. I definitely feel like I have gained more empathy for those who have experienced great loss.

Some losses are less painful, and then there are those that hit deeper, and the changes are not gentle, but radical. I am feeling like I’m stuck in a bit of an empty space. What am I going to do? This feels kind of lonely and weird. But I have choices. I can either stay in a quandary and just let life happen, or I can change this “empty” to “opportunity.” I choose opportunity. It’s kind of like a re-birth. I can discover new things and make new traditions, but never without the guidance of my God, would I ever even attempt such things. I have to let God guide me to the next thing, that at this moment, well, I have no idea what that might be.

This new frame of mind makes me think of Abraham when God told him to take off to a place he didn’t know. 

Genesis 12:1-2 says: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.’”

At the time, God didn’t even tell Abraham where He planned for him to go. It was less about the physical destination, and way more about the spiritual relationship, daily destined to pay attention to the Lord’s leading. Abraham’s physical destination didn’t matter nearly as much as his destiny to daily dwell in the presence of God. That is our ultimate destination and destiny as well.  

Hebrews 11:8 reiterates: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

Psalm 91:1-2 gives me inspiration: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

My mom loved God; she loved the Bible; she loved adventure; and she loved new things. Her passing not only opened a new life for her in heaven, but it opened new things in life for me here on earth. I will have more compassion for those who have lost pivotal people in their lives; I will stick closer to God and be more like Abraham and live more by faith. I will do my best to honor my mom and dad in death, and I will determine to make new traditions and enjoy every place the Lord will take me.

Where do we go from here? I don’t know, but I do know I have the best guide.

Love, Carolyn