My Tribute

It was the weight of the past two weeks and the love of 27 years that brought me out to the garden this morning. It was there that I sought comfort and found it in my sad, neglected space among the weeds and forgotten plants still fighting against the seasons; there with my robe and coffee cup and tears.

And there in the first light of this new day, this beautiful gift meant to be cherished and lived because we’re still standing and still breathing, God broke through the heaviness of death and grief to show me life. Right there in the garden in the middle of my mess. Life triumphant. New and just beginning.

In that moment, God showed me that we’re to nurture the living; the wife now without a husband, the children now without a father and countless others left holding hearts full of love, admiration and cherished memories. We’re to honor the lives of those who have gone before us simply…by…living.

And as they who pass from this world and into the next are to forever rest in the peace and comfort of our savior, so shall we when we remember that they have received their reward in full. We are to rest and live in peace knowing God’s promises are true and it’s the faith of the believer that brings us full circle.

Revelation 7:15-17 “And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear

 from their eyes.” (NIV)

 I will always love you, Bruce. I will never forget you.

Thank you for embracing me as your own and welcoming

me to your family so many years ago. And thank you for

loving me unconditionally ever since.

Debbie