Sweetness and Grief

A few years ago, my mother-in-law passed away.  She was a wonderful prayer warrior and lover of life.  Shortly after she passed, a friend came to visit, bringing us a live plant and a large plate of brownies.  She explained that she was carrying on an old tradition.  The sweets were meant to ease the bitterness of loss. The plant was a reminder that life goes on.

I was reminded this week of how this wonderful traditon touched me when our neighbors had to fly to Florida for the funeral of the man's father.  While they were gone we watched their dogs for them and had a live plant and a plate of goodies waiting for them when they returned.

Reflecting on this tradition, I realize that it is a true picture of the faithfulness and provision of God.  Throughout Scripture we see that God is ever present in the lives of countless men and women.  Even when they fail to acknowledge Him, He is present.  When Adam and Eve fall from grace and try to hide, God meets them in the garden.  Even as their decision brings death into creation, God makes provision for them and brings them life through the birth of sons.  When mankind becomes so tainted by sin that God decides to begin again, He raises up Noah and gives the gift of the rainbow to show how He promises life in the face of death.  On and on it goes.  As sin and the selfish ambitions of men and women wreak havoc throughout history God meets us in the midst of pain and reminds us that we were created for something more, that He offers us a better life. 

Finally, God Himself pays the ultimate price.  He experiences the pain and rejection of sin when He has no sin.  Yet even in this death on the cross He is present, bringing us life.  It is in fact because of this death and through this death that true life, eternal life is even possible for us.  May we all have eyes to see.   May we be moved to live in such a way that this death is not in vain for us individually and each death we grieve will be a reminder that this life is not all there is!