Heaven Day 2: Hope to the Hopeless

 Today is day 2 of Charles' permanent life eternal in Heaven with the Almighty.  It is also day 2 for those of us who remain on Earth and must live out the rest of our days without him in our lives.  The last 20 hours have been filled with pain, sorrow, lamenting, hopelessness, fear, anger, and so much more.  But they have also been filled with love, laughter, joy, peace, gratitude, thanksgiving, and even more!  Praise God that our hope is not in things of this world.  Praise Him that this is not the end.  

We don't understand why.  Why would God bring Charles this far and then allow this?  Why would something like this happen when he was doing so well?  Why couldn't the outcome have been different?  We also wonder what if.  What if things had been different?  What if he didn't have the surgery?  What if he didn't leave the hospital?

These are normal questions and ones we grapple with minute by minute, hour by hour.  HOWEVER, we do not have to stay in that place.  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.  We know that God still has a plan here and He is still in control.  This was not a surprise to Him who knew every hour of Charles' life.  He knew the moment that Charles would receive his eternal reward.

Today, we move forward, yet still our hearts cling to the past.  There are moments when pain grips our hearts and it feels like it won't let go.  But through it all, we trust in our Savior.  Charles said, "Just one, Lord."  We say, "All for You, Lord."  

Here are some devotions and scriptures that have come to us in these moments and filled our hearts with peace.  May they instill peace in you as well as everyone grieves.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18