Death. It's everywhere lately. From grandparents who have lived a good 90 years down to a baby in the womb. I don't know if it is just the older I get, the more people I know or how Facebook makes me aware of situations I wouldn't usually hear about, but it seems like every time I log on there is tragedy.
Last week I got a phone call from my mom. Her best friend of 30 years had called from where she was doing missions in Ethiopia with devastating news. Her 19 year old son had died in a scooter accident in New Zealand. Her only son.
The whole situation is just devastating. And the fact that I have two sons now makes it more real to me. I keep thinking that I wouldn't be gracious if I was in that situation. My mom said that in New Zealand they bring the body into the home for a couple days and the family serves tea to visitors. My mom, who flew there a day after hearing the news, said they've served hundreds and hundreds of cups of tea. I can't help but think that if one of my boys died, that I would lay in bed and refuse to talk or see people. In fact, it makes me so sad that I think I couldn't breath from the grief.
Before my mom flew out there, I was trying desperately to think of a gift for my "Aunt" that would just ease the pain just a bit (as if there is such a gift). Finally after listening to pandora and crying over some of the worship songs I decided to make her a play list and put it on an ipod so that in those times when she was laying in bed dying inside of grief, that she could hear truth.
I am human. I have my doubts once in a while about God and heaven. But when I am confronted with death like this, all doubts go away and I am left clinging to the promises that this life is fleeting compared to eternity. Death without hope of heaven and Christ taking our place for our sins is hopeless. It's so dark. Death with the promise of seeing our loved one again is beautiful, in a way. The sucky part is when we are the ones left behind to trudge through life alone.
I decided to share the playlist I came up with in case someone else was needing comfort like I do.
Blessings-Laura Story
Homesick-Mercy Me
King of Glory-Third Day
All the Heavens-Third Day
I Will Carry You-Selah (This is more for the loss of a child)
Climb On-Caedmon's Call
Your Great Name-Krissy Nordhoff
Perfect Peace-Laura Story
Give Me Jesus-Jeremy Camp
Praise You in this Storm-Casting Crowns
In Christ Alone-Owl City
Christ is Risen-Matt Maher (This is one of the most powerful songs I've heard in a while)
Come to Jesus-Chris Rice
Be Thou My Vision-Ginny Owens
Hallelujah's-Chris Rice
If You Want Me To-Ginny Owens
It is Well with my Soul-Chris Rice
There Will Be a Day-Jeremy Camp
Lead me to the Cross-Hillsong
Tears of the Saints-Leeland
1000 Reasons(Bless the Lord)-Matt Redman
Blessed be your Name-Matt Redman
Held-Natalie Grant
Love Song-Third Day
Revelation Song-Phillips, Craig and Dean
Thief-Third Day
Wonderful Merciful Savior-Selah
Cry Out to Jesus-Third Day
Jesus I am Resting, Resting-Tricia Brock
Trust in Jesus-Thirdy Day
What do I know of Holy-Addison Road
With Hope-Steven Curtis Chapman
Friday, October 5, 2012
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I recently made a crazily similar playlist for a friend. Her 25 year old boyfriend/practically fiance was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumor this summer. She asked if I could make her a CD and I was honored. Praise God, my friend's tumor can not be detected on post-op scans! Sometimes in your darkest hour you need to be reminded of the peace of Jesus. One of my favorites is Hold Me by Jonny Diaz. I pray that your gift will remind this mother of the comfort of our Savior and the promise of heaven.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and some really useful tips there. I love resource lists like this. Have social bookmarked it in the hope that others can also benefit.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a personal and thoughtful gift. I can only imagine that it brough comfort and peace. I'm impressed by your creativity. Thanks for sharing the playlist.
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