Joy in Sorrow

My family and I have encountered sorrow at the passing of my grandmother who we lovingly called "Mama Lou." She died Friday, August 3, 2007 at 79 yrs. old. I have been numb this entire week and only able to cry a few times. I already miss her. She was a good friend. I could always count her to do things with me like go to a classical concert or a play or a market. I will miss her wave, her smile, the way she answered the telephone, and her stories. I loved her stories since I was little.

My soul is in mourning more over the permanence of death. She is in heaven and I praise God for that but I miss her. I have been clinging to the hymn "Be Still my Soul" especially the third verse. What joy and what comfort to know that our God understands death, has tasted death, has defeated death, and knows what it is like to lose a friend to death. I mourn the loss of very special woman - a sinful saint and child of God. I am not alone - God beckons me to come and hide my tears in His bosom. He welcomes my laments and my sorrow. In the cross, in the tears of Jesus are my comfort because death is not the end but just the beginning. Jesus faced death, cried out to God and was rejected so that when I cry out to Him I am received and so that when Mama Lou entered into death she was received into eternity. I desire my sorrow and my tears to produce joy. I want Mama Lou's death to somehow bring glory to God. May God be glorified.

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.