Tag: death

death, family, friends, grief, loss, love, tears, trials, Uncategorized

So I held her hand

kdstinnett

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I’m struggling as sorrow visits me once more. My friend is leaving this earth very shortly now and I am already weighed down with her absence, another seat empty at this table that is my life. I want so much to have the words that fully express the depth of love I feel for my friend but there are none. As I sat with her, I wordlessly prayed she would experience my love as I looked in her eyes, eyes that were already beginning to focus on things not of this world. There was nothing more I could do. So I held her hand.

For me, and probably many who grieve, there is a deep fear that the one we’ve lost didn’t really know how much we loved them. I find that a hard thing to accept and live with. Even with all the humanly possible expression through words and actions I am still left with the frustration in the inadequacies of them all. But touch has a power all its own. So I held her hand.

Her life has been hard and vibrant and beautiful and full. She is one of the strongest people I have ever known, her life a message of perseverance and success, truly an overcomer in this life. We’ve only known each other for a little over a decade but it seems like it’s been our whole lives. We’ve cried together and laughed together and traveled together and made lots of memories that I hold dear and cherish. I am grateful that I’ve had the chance for a last hug, a last I love you. I will miss holding her hand.

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So here’s to you, my friend! I know that you will soon be whole and free and full of joy unspeakable and fully aware of how very much you were loved in this life. I will see you later. And I will hold your hand.

I was blessed to see my friend a few more times since writing this, a few more chances to hold her hand and tell her I loved her before she left this world today. I miss her so.

 

“So I held her hand” was written by Kay Stinnett and first appeared on http://www.ourpassionatepurpose.com

 

 

 

Bible, Christian, church, death, Encouragement, Faith, God, grace, Jesus, love, righteousness, Spiritual

Rebranding

kdstinnett

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Several months ago I created a small brochure about myself in order to help promote a new bible study.  This action was necessary as I am currently a relative unknown in the world of Christian speaking.  Not having a budget that allows for securing a graphic designer to do these things for me at this time, I am left with my limited abilities as a technologically challenged person.  While pleased with the results of my efforts at the time, it has recently come to my attention that I am apparently unaware of my lack in this area per the conversation between my sister and a client:

Client as she sees the brochure:  Who is that?

Sister:  My sister.

Client in a very sad tone:  Oh….

Sister:  What do you mean?

Client:  Is that from her funeral?

Note:  this has happened more than once…sigh.

When my sister first told me about it I posted it on facebook to which one friend who is a published author replied “lol…a little rebranding never hurts!”  It is most definitely time to rebrand.

The purpose of the brochure is to introduce me to those I’ve not met and give a little information about me that will hopefully peak their interest enough to invite me to their organization.  I’ve realized that while I will still include my photograph and the endorsements I’ve received in a new brochure, rather than just stating the facts of bible study opportunities and venues that interest me I need to include a more personal statement.  Something that gives someone else an idea of what I am really passionate about.  They need to know the heart of my message:  that Jesus came in order to make it possible for us to have constant fellowship with our Father.  It’s all about Him.

The more I pursue Jesus and learn of His ways, the more contrast I find with much of the message of the church today.  When did being a Jesus-follower become about us?  In learning that God’s heart is towards us and that we can become intimately acquainted with Him, have we rebranded the call?  Have we changed the mission?

And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.  2 Corinthians 5:15

It’s. Not. About. Me.

Jesus came because He loved us.  He cared about all those who heard Him speak.  He wept over those who would not receive Him.  He still does.  But He never altered the message so that more would follow Him.  He made it clear that to follow Him meant to die to self.  He spoke of great blessings that would come to those who choose His way and plainly said that He came to give us life.  Abundant life that was to be enjoyed!  Enjoying life is not the problem, it was the plan!  But I’m afraid we so often settle for enjoying the temporal things of this world, seeking our own comfort and accumulations, rather than learning how to enjoy the deeper spiritual things that can only come when we are not thinking about ourselves.  Eternal life isn’t awaiting us in heaven – it’s now!  It began the day we placed our faith in Jesus.  We will miss the eternal in the now if all we think about is the temporary.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself  (disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests) and take up his cross and follow Me (cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also).  For whoever is bent on saving his (temporal) life (his comfort and security here) shall lose it (eternal life); and whoever loses his life (his comfort and security here) for My sake shall find it (life everlasting).  Matthew 16:24-25

As I drove to work today I wondered how much space would be free in our brains if we simply didn’t worry about ourselves?  There are days I feel I cannot find room in my head for one more piece of information.  I’m already overwhelmed with a lifetime of accumulated facts and experiences.  And guess what?  Most of the information I cling to is all about me.  Seriously, how much time do I really think about Jesus or others compared to myself?  How freeing would it be and how much good could I apply myself to if I quit focusing on me?  The ones who heard His words and chose that life changed the world.  What changes would take place if we did the same?

I’m not sure how many speaking engagements I will secure with the message that I am passionate about death, but to follow Jesus doing what He did and saying what He said is to proclaim that truly living can only be found in dying.  Here lie the greatest blessings to be experienced this side of heaven and riches untold because it is all about Him, not us.

Wait…maybe the fact that my brochure looks as if it came from my funeral is a good thing…

 

“Rebranding” was written by Kay Stinnett and first appeared on http://www.ourpassionatepurpose.com