To Read on the Journey

Friday, February 4, 2011

One Body


We are God-sisters. 

We have the same Father.

We share the same history; "For God so loved the world HE GAVE His only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

(Dinner at El Cid Wed. Feb 2, to Celebrate Tami's 49th birthday, and to honor our beloved sister,  Amy). 

Each one of them part of my body, which is His body.

Each one of us created in His image; created for His glory.

They have His eyes.  They walk by "faith not by sight," embracing the Good Shepherd's mysterious ways.  See in others what they cannot see in themselves- redemption.

They have His ears.  They listen.  Bear with one another.  They hear the beat of His heart, and walk to the rhythm of that beat; metronomes inspiring each other to "tune our hearts to sing God's praise." 

They have His mouth. They open their mouths and let the Lord out.  They speak truth over lives. 

They have His arms.  They draw you in close; wrapping one another in Comforter, Life-Sustainer,  Savior.

They have His hands.  They give what was never theirs.  They hold what is His.
   
They have His feet; beautiful feet that bring good news. News of hope and grace.

They have His knees.  Knees that fall to the earth in intercession.  Knees that fall to the earth in humility and weakness.  They Exalt the LORD, ask for wisdom from the One who gives generously, and hope in the LORD our God.

Like me, they fail.  Fail themselves, their families, each other.  But Grace never fails them.

We are God-sisters.

The blood of Jesus that was shed for us for the redemption of our sins flows through the veins of each of our souls.

In Him we are one body.

Part of each other.

 As one we feel the anguish that comes from the brutal loss of one of our limbs.

We ache for union with her; our dear God-sister.

We know that part of us will be forever missing this side of heaven.

This grieves us.

But despair does not own us.

We KNOW that "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

Jesus has overcome death!!!

Each one of us is  reconciled to God through the cross. 

We are whole.

We drink in the Spirit.


And our mourning turns to rejoicing.

We fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen.

Together, as one, in the One, we hope in the LORD,

And eagerly wait for the glorious times ahead.

10 comments:

robrob said...

Beautiful. Hopeful words during such a sad and confusing time.

Cari said...

DITTO!! How can my measly way with words even compare with what you wrote? You said it perfectly, beautifully, concisely and poignantly! Thank you for giving my heart feelings words.

Alana said...

Praying for all of you as you cling to His hope. Love you.

Vessel said...

I want that, those words, with those pictures, framed. Everyone should.

mama holly said...

Perfectly beautiful. I want to photoshop in another table of out other God-sisters who couldn't come for various reasons? Their presence was missed. We could have filled that whole room with God-sisters.

I also like the photo of our Amy - bitter/sweet

Denise said...

i agree mama holly, many God-sisters were missing that evening.
my words/heart are for them too.

Kathleen said...

Such a beautiful tribute to (what sounds like) a treasured group of women. This really warmed my heart.

In my small group, we lost a "sister", Ann, to cancer a few years ago. As Helen (our wise sage) prayed with her in her last day, Ann's face brightened. Helen asked, "do you see the face of Jesus?" And Ann just beamed and nodded yes.

That was the comfort in her loss, just knowing that she is with the Lord, beaming for His glory.

Simply Sara said...

wonderful.

i am so glad that god has planted you in a place where you can be surrounded by such beautiful God-sisters.

may He bring you all comfort as you comfort each other.

Janelle said...

I can't even imagine this loss. I am so sorry. Looks like you have you hope in the right One. There is a purpose. Its just so hard.

KJ said...

Thanks for those words Denise! Love you.