I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

I'm writing for Five Minute Friday and this week's prompt word is DEDICATE.  

I've decided to dedicate this blog post to a friend and sister that our church family lost recently. 

Her name was Lynne, is Lynne.

She's still alive - with Him - just not with us.

She's with the One that she loved,

with the Jesus that she proclaimed, passionately and persistently,

to whoever would listen, 

because she knew that He was, He is, the answer for our every need.

To those outside her immediate family, she was a friend, a sister in Christ, a teacher, a mentor, a counsellor, a listener, an encourager.    I knew her as all of that and my life was enriched by her.   She did a lot of listening and a lot of encouraging.   There were many times that she held space for me while I shared pain and worries and heartaches.  Every time, she directed me back to Him.   

She was a coffee-table kind of friend.   You didn't need to be fancy to sit at her table.  In fact, she preferred it if you weren't.    We spent many hours chatting about all sorts of things, watching the kids play in the pool, watching the birds outside, looking at the plants in her garden, discussing the Lord and now He works, and how good He is. 

We talked about healing and how much she wanted to be healed of her COPD,  and later cancer, so she could get out there and do God's work.  She didn't realise how much she was doing God's work right there at her table and online in the support groups she was in.     She touched many, many lives.  Many, many people miss her.   

There was one day, on the phone, that I was sharing my frustration about this healing journey that the Lord has had me on, for several years now, that started at her table really.   The Lord gave her a picture of a caterpillar being transformed into a beautiful butterfly.   That picture was such a great encouragement to me, and remains so, to this day, though learning about how disgusting it is inside a cocoon was not encouraging.  Metamorphosis is a slow, painful process, that is hard to get through, made easier only by the love and support of mature friends.  

Those who miss her most, of course, are her family.    To her family, she was a dedicated wife and mother and grandmother and even a great grandmother, auntie, cousin, sister, daughter.  

Many times, when I was sitting at her table, she would get a call from a family member who knew she would be available on the phone.    She was very available to them.  Just the other day her hubby, Paul, commented that he still goes to call her as he's leaving work and then realises he can't.   I'm sure that's yet another reminder that she's on the other side of time - for now.    

We are separated from her now by the gates of heaven.  One day we'll see her again.   And the reunion will be joyous, and we will see her whole.   We will all be whole and free of all that got in the way of health and wholeness and love down here.

In the meantime, she is no doubt enjoying being with the two sons that she lost along the way, her miscarried babies, family members and other loved ones who went before her.  

One day, Lynne, our reunion will be sweet.  In the meantime, I'm rejoicing that you are walking free of the pain and restriction that you had this side of eternity.    I'm sorry you're gone.  I miss you, but I'm rejoicing for you.    I'm rejoicing and longing for that day when.....

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Rev 21:4   

In the meantime, I can only imagine how much you are rejoicing and dancing, which you weren't able to do here.   I remember discussing this song with you.   And here you are, living it now, more alive than us.     I'm jealous.      One day, Lynne............   

In the meantime, I will be grateful for all God did for me - through you - most of it at your table.     

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

when that day comes 

when I find myself

standing in the sun....................