This past week my spouse’s family buried the 3rd grandparent and 4th relative in a year and half, but it was a beautiful time.  When you become married you acquire not just a spouse and some sweet wedding swag, but their habits and their extended family as well.  For me, the fusion of our two families has been an exercise in experiencing what life is like in a family (both sides) that is rooted primarily around Jesus.  There are the random relatives that are not followers of Jesus, but by and large, Christianity permeates their relationships.  The aberration in his extended family is the one who does not believe; the aberration in my extended family was the one who does.  That simple fact shaped our spiritualities very differently, and creates a very different atmosphere when someone’s physical body passes from life to death. 

    Yesterday I had the privilege of watching him perform the graveside service for his grandma, and while sad, it was exciting to celebrate the hope of those in attendance because there is such a different spirit of grief when you are amongst believers.  Thinking of my own family of origin, each of these believer’s funerals I have attended with his family have been very painful.  Something my husband shared yesterday was that death is not natural… our souls were designed for life.  Sin and the brokenness of a fallen world have marred that.  Our culture tells us death is a natural part of the life cycle to cushion the blow as a physical life is extinguished.  

    Watching few other people work with us in ministry has been as rewarding as watching God work in our friend Heather.  We worked together with her early in our ministry, and she has always been a source of inspiration, satirical comedy gold, and encouragement.  A few months ago, at 36 she found out she was facing a physically scary and demanding cancer that is invading her body.  Just this week she posted about her experiences thinking about death and life, and it is a great extension of what my husband shared at the funeral.  Read it; it will encourage you.

My fave quote: “Death belongs to Satan. Life belongs to Christ.”