January 8, 2013 (Tuesday)
“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays With Morrie
After conducting the funeral service for my step-mother, Dorothy Fake, I drove back home to Rockport today, January 8, in the rain. I had time to think as I drove. I had three “mothers” as I grew up: my mother (called, “Mother”), my step-mother (called, “Dorothy”), and my grandmother, (called, “Mama”). Today would have been my mother’s birthday. She was actually buried on her birthday in 1990. So the rain, fog and clouds that accompanied my drive home today seemed appropriate.
I’ve learned through the loss of loved ones and many dear friends that the quotation above is correct. Those involved in our hearts and lives will always be with us. Death is powerful, but not powerful enough to destroy the relationships that bless us.
The Book of Hebrews compares us to runners of races. In the eleventh chapter, the author names many of those who ran the race of life and completed it. Then, in chapter twelve, he pictures those who have already run the race as those who continue to encourage us as we meditate upon the race they ran and thank God for the privilege of having known them.
Love is so powerful that it refuses to let go, even in the face of death. No wonder Paul taunted death and the grave: “Where is your sting? Where is your victory?” As Jesus walked through the valley of death, he left a light burning for us.