Saturday, January 26, 2008

where's the next...

speed bump?

It had already been a crazy week. On two separate mornings I drove one of the boys to college because either there were crazy transit delays or a wallet was lost en route. It was Friday morning and I had just returned home from one of these drives.

As I entered the house I remember thinking, how wonky does a week have to get before you can consider it a write off? And then the phone rang.

It was Florian's uncle on the other end of the line, bringing us the news that Florian's dad had passed away early that morning. It came as a surprise and we spent the day trying to wrap our minds around this turn of events.

Early Sunday morning Florian & I left to make the drive to Dauphin, Manitoba. We spent this past week making funeral arrangements, cleaning out the place that was "home" to his Dad, encountering legal red tape and consequent roadblocks, and finally, with much yet unsettled, making the drive home.

It was a week where we turned our thoughts to what had to be done. Now that we are back we need time to "de-compress" - to process that which we have seen and heard - to turn our faces to the Son and enjoy the blessings that He so richly pours out on us.

What are those blessings? a few of them are:
- years ago Florian had made the effort to become reconciled to his dad
- we saw Florian's dad in November
- our kids, left on their own this week, managed unbelievably well
- friends called them several times throughout the week to see how they were doing
- my sister came each day to help with dinner & driving
- my brother came to the funeral (a 4+ hour drive for him) - what a gift!!

But the greatest blessing is that, having experienced God's grace & mercy in our lives, love & reconciliation with others is possible. I am humbled and grateful.

5 comments:

Suzanne said...

Edith, So sorry to read all this. You have both already had so much to deal with in the past months. I thak God that he is with you every step of the way down this path. You both will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lee said...

And what a wonderful example of grace and forgiveness you are to others, especially to your children!! Keeping all of you close in prayer!!

Teresa said...

Life is like that, isn't it? Remembering the saying that "God will not give me more than I can handle" I sometimes think of the matching response "I wish He didn't trust me so much". I guess you can relate?

I am sorry for your loss but happy for you that you can deal with it with peace.

UrgentCookie said...

I'm sorry that you had such a stressful week and for your loss. Stay close to the Lord in prayer and he will help you through anything. :0)

Diane Noble said...

Edith, may I extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. How gracious our Lord is to extend incredible and certain hope in such circumstances...a joy beyond the pain! May our loving God continue to pour out every spiritual blessing you need to sustain and grow you through this loss. May His peace be your peace!