Priorities

Since the passing of my sister in law, many things are happening.  I wish I could write down and put into words exactly how I am feeling in the midst of deep sorrow and loss.  Many things change when tragedy hits a family.  Immediately, priorities fall into place.  All the petty and little things that once rubbed me raw roll off like water off a duck's back.  They no longer matter.  I realize all of those ridiculous little grievances I thought I had, well-- they don't even belong in the big picture. 

All of the sudden, I see my kids in a different light.  My heart softens.  I realize that the moments we share with them really are gifts and we don't know what tomorrow might bring. I feel a tighter bonding with my husband.  When we walk together down a rough road and lean on each other to get through it, I love him more.  I didn't think that was possible.  But he loved my sister in law as much as I did and we have a  mutual grief and understanding, I hold my family a little closer.  I view them as more valuable.

I see other people around me in all their human-ness.  We are all human, everyone is fighting a battle.  I want to love people the way that God loves me.  He died for all, so that we could live in eternity.  How can I administer His love?  If we don't have love, we have nothing.

I Corinthians 13: 1-7
"If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

God is doing a mighty work.  Christians from 7 different churches are coming to help with my Brother in law's family.  They come and clean the entire house, do all the laundry (that is a ministry purely in and of itself with having 15 children!) meals are completely taken care of through the month of December.  When I get the updates I am overwhelmed with emotion.  God's out pouring of love through these people to my family is like a soothing balm to my soul. 

Satan is out to accuse and destroy.  But our Lord is so much bigger than him, don't you see?? The bible says:
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Certainly others can see Christ's love in those who have stepped forward to care for my brother in law's family.  I pray that more would come to know Christ through this.

It is a sad day when it takes such a tragedy to shake you out of your slumber and selfishness, to see what it is most important, and to love people more.  I pray I never need another reminder.