One Hope. Above all. Through all. In all.
I am about to do a new thing;
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43: 19
I sit in the hospital cafeteria, TV news blares to mute the conversation of strangers and to fill the void for lone eaters. None of this halt the foreboding reality of my husband Mark losing his battle to cancer. He will now come home to die.
I stare into the face of our friend Tom who sits across the table as I hold a cup of coffee, its steam caressing my tear stained cheeks, warming my shivering body. Tom’s wife died of cancer just a year before so he knows the helplessness of loving someone through the dying, and the fear of the unknown journey beyond their death. He understands my blank stare, shaking hands and racing heart. Because Tom knows, I trust his presence, silence, words.
We talk about his life as he models how survival is possible. We share stories of Mark’s laughter, intensity, fading soul. I breathe to find the strength to go upstairs and face the reality of what lies ahead.
As I leave, Tom takes my hand, looks me in the eye and says, “I have learned many things since my wife’s death. Most importantly, I’ve learned resurrection is for the living as well as the dead.”
Not understanding, I walk away engulfed by sadness and fear. Yet a seed of hope is planted within my heart awaiting its readiness to grow.
Breathprayer:
Breathing in: Abiding Hope
Breathing out: … encourage our lives.
Reflection: Resurrection is for the living, too. Where have you known resurrection?
This reflection is written for the Online Lenten Devotion of the Southeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
www.seiasynod.org/lent