The best life has to offer...hmmm...have you ever really stopped to think what "the best" really is? When I was a little girl the best for me during Christmas was the evening before when my dad would come over and we would open gifts with him. My parents had divorced when I was four and life was confusing for many years after that but goodness Christmas Eve was the best when we would gather as a "family" for a couple hours and exchange gifts. Then the best continued the next day as we woke up to stockings stuffed with Life Saver candy books and coloring books from Santa with the price tag still on it...Mama said Santa had to make a last minute stop at Kmart! ;) Then the day continued with family, food and something good on television.
Now lying in bed...over 30 years later, I weep.
The worst life has to offer...as moments flash in my mind of those last moments with my dad...he suffered, he struggled. I remember the invitation he gave to me just two weeks before he died in March..."Sis, you should join us for Christmas." He knew there would be no more Christmas times together here on Earth but the invitation was an extension of his love, his repentance, his forgiveness as he knew he was heading into eternity.
I took a few minutes to refocus, process the grief, feel the emotion and listen for His voice...
The best life has to offer...He met me in my grief as I wept...Holy Spirit brought me comfort and Abba extended His invitation as He always does..."Daughter, you should join Us for Christmas." I am quickly reminded that there will always be Christ and times together into eternity...I remember His suffering, His struggle. An extension of His love which lead to my repentance and His forgiveness. I indulged in His grace, His mercy and His wonder. He was born to show us how to live, then He died to give us opportunity to live forever! Death for Life! An exchange occurred through my tears...the worst life has to offer in a memory for the best life has to offer in the reality of my Savior.
A great exchange...His best for our worst!
