Today would have been Gran’s 64th birthday here on earth. I am heavy-hearted when I let myself really think about her not being here with us, but I cannot allow my mind to dwell on what we miss out on with her in Heaven. She is in HEAVEN. Heaven with Jesus. It does not get any better than that.
Last Easter we were in Leesburg with PawPaw, Gran, GG, and Papa Mac. We had a very fun time with them, and I remember it like it was yesterday. The kids remember it well, too because they had a great Easter egg hunt out in their huge backyard. Gran always spoiled them with their favorite things.
In my time with the Lord this morning I was continuing my study in Esther, and Beth Moore had us read in 2 Corinthians 4 and answer WHY we are called to live a crucified life……”so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” Gran lived out Jesus in her mortal body. I also read some verses I had sent to Josh while he was with his mom during her last days:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
Beth Moore followed up with this quote: “Listen, Beloved. God’s forte is life. He’s just not willing to leave dead things dead. A paramount theme in Esther is what God can do when we resolve to obey and “if I perish, I perish.” Anytime he calls us to die, His purpose is larger life.”
On earth we experience many ways of dying to ourselves in order that Christ’s life might fully live in us and out through us. Gran has experienced dying in order to live out life eternal. Now she is seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Again, it doesn’t get any better than that. She doesn’t have to think about cancer counts or doctor appointments. She has no pain or discomfort…no anxiousness…no worries.
Here’s one of her emails from around this time last year…
Good morning! What a lovely Spring we have had here in South Georgia. The azaleas and dogwoods have been beautiful. I love riding around my yard and seeing all the bulbs and flowering plants springing forth in all their beauty. God has truly given me this Spring! This past weekend not only did I get to have fun with my grandchildren but my lovely daughter-in-law and I spent Saturday with Beth Moore along with 10,000 other attendees at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Beth brought a message on insecurity while Travis Cottrell joined the Woodstock praise team as worship leader. The music was very moving.
On the way home from Atlanta I learned that my cousin Kaye had passed away. Kaye and I found out about our cancer at the same time. She has had a horrible year. Cancer in her lungs and brain led to painful procedures. Kaye, however, was a fighter to the very end. She wanted to live long enough to see her 14 year old son grow to maturity. That wasn’t to be. It was a sad day yesterday as we said goodbye and laid her body to rest in a country cemetery just a few yards from the final resting place of her great-grandmother. It was also a happy day to know that she is now with the Lord and has no more suffering. Praise the Lord!
My colonoscopy showed no problem. Friday I will have a CT scan of my abdomen, pelvis and chest to see if something was missed in January. My oncologist is trying to find out why my cancer markers continue to rise. I am feeling very good. This is the first month in the last 17 when I did not have chemo. I am stronger because I didn’t have to spend 10 days recovering from infusion. I am such an optimist that I just know every time I take a blood test that my markers will be down. Even though the last 4 months have showed an upward trend I just keep knowing they will go down. I have stayed away from all animals because I read that could cause a false high with the markers. I have been eating asparagus because I read that could bring down the markers. I am doing my part and the Lord is in charge of the rest.
Thank you for your prayers. God hears every one of them. “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14.
Debbie Dorminy