LISA AT THREE AND 1/2 MONTHS YOUNG |
Today--March 1, 2017-- Lisa would have turned "33" years old. Wow. It's hard to fathom that, since I last saw her physically at only nine and a half months young. From my headboard shelf where it's kept, I lifted off my favorite framed picture of Lisa . . . and saw dust. Coincidentally, today happens to be "Ash Wednesday" and the start of Lent for Christians. Seeing that dust under her photo, I recalled this verse from Genesis (3:19):
" . . . For dust you are and to dust you will return." (NIV)
I realized I'd never focused much on the prior verses that spoke of all the toil and trouble mankind would now have after choosing their will over God's. Lisa (and all transitioned children) have in fact been saved from having to struggle in this life and all little children that have died are guaranteed by Jesus to now be on easy street. Jesus clearly has a fondness for little children. They probably refreshed His Spirit just like they refresh our own weary spirits during our earthly trials.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NIV Matthew 19:14 --emphasis mine.)
They "belong" there! They've got the run of the place! "Reunion" for them must have been more like "Further Union." They've never once consciously parted from Christ!
I've also come to realize that because they died so young (Lisa at 9 1/2 months and Michael at 27 months) having any kind of "rift" between us never happened. Although I did not get to see them mature to an adult age . . . there are no smoldering regrets, arguments or resentments that can taint the mother/father and child-turned-adult relationship. I will never carry any troubling, unfinished emotional business between us to my grave or they to theirs. Like I have with the relationship memories with my own departed parents.
Those of us that have very young transitioned children will also never have any questions about their relationship with Christ either. A big comfort to me is that they died being "as close to an angel" as is possible in this earthly life.
I've come to understand that even though in this life I've not had some of the "fun" stuff of seeing Lisa and Matthew grow to adulthood, I'm blessed beyond measure believing Jesus' Word that Heaven belongs to children--especially.
On this Ash Wednesday, when we Christians focus on the reality of physical death (ashes literally placed upon our foreheads) I remember that God in His Mercy can also raise us up to New Life. And that even though my children no longer have their fleshly bodies:
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. . . . " (NIV John 6:63).
Earthly death is just a transitioning moment . . afterward we come to fully realize our joy of having union with Life and Love Himself. (And I believe in Purgatory being a time of fairness . . . of learning in order to truly and freely be able to make that choice irregardless of any prior harmful influences.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!
I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BROTHER ALWAYS (and your earthly Dad!)