Our Giants Are Falling Asleep!

Our Giants Have Fallen Asleep 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 

3 months and 3 days 

1 year

5 years

21 years

31 years

I often measure time and life by the death of loved ones. Before the Death and After the Death are used to mark time in my head.  For example, I graduated college before my mother died. I received my doctorate after my mother died. You may say it's morbid, but death leaves such a huge impact on us that we often mark the memories and the events with before or after statements. 

In 2021, our family lost a few giants.  The Giants were the Heavy hitters, the Life of the Party - Auntie Brenda and The Shepherd of the Flock - Pastor Brown, aka Uncle Jerome.  Our hearts are heavy.  Death is as much a part of life as living. However, it remains one of the most heartbreaking and heart-wrenching situations that most of us endure.

Death shatters us, leaves us afraid, alone, awestruck and aching. Death leaves us searching for answers and wondering why. Whether the death was quick and unexpected or extended and expected, it's still difficult.

Whether the death is of a friend, loved one, or even a foe, it always changes our lives. Our normal is gone, replaced by a newness. In those moments we decide to keep pushing, keep striving, and showing up daily to the marathon of life.

We may never understand death, or life, for that matter and sometimes we find it hard to comprehend God. But when we cannot understand God's ways, we can trust His heart. He loves us; He sent His son to die for us; He Will Not and Cannot Fail; He Will Provide, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Though my heart hurts, I’m filled with joy as well. I can’t begin to tell you all of the memories that I have. Trips taken, meals eaten, holidays, and just plain ole love. So though I grieve, I’m so grateful and thankful for my auntie and uncle. They were life personified! 

No one can tell you how to grieve, how long to grieve, when to grieve, or where to grieve. 21 years later and I can drive by a street and memories of my mother will flood my brain and leave me like a limp rag doll the remainder of the day. 

Death is somewhat final. Somewhat because the author of 1 Thessalonians assures us that our giants are merely asleep. Do you know what happens when someone sleeps? They awaken. The bible assures us that when Christ comes back, not only will the dead in Christ rise but guess what? They are getting up out of those grave clothes 1st! I am so excited about that. I cry every time I think about the scene. My savior coming back on a cloud and my mom, grandad, great grandad, uncles, aunts, cousin, friends, and other loved ones are going to be caught up first to meet Him in the sky. Oh, how I envision that day! The dead in Christ - those who are asleep, being captured by the arms of Jesus first. Oh, what a day! 

As you grieve:

1) Remember to be Grateful: Grateful in Grief? Yes. You had time with your relative. Time to love on them, to make memories, to be in their presence before they left and they left you with a piece of themselves. There is an African proverb that says until the last person who knew of the deceased dies, that person continues to live. 

2) Go through the Grief Process: Many of us like to skip parts of the process in hopes of healing faster. But no part will you ever escape. As my grandmother says, "You may not get it in the wash, but you will get it in the rinse." Go ahead and grieve fully. Sit with the grief. I read somewhere that grief is just unexpressed love. Go ahead and grieve. You will feel better. 

3) Embrace the Memories: Isn't it amazing that God gave us the most powerful tool in the world - the human brain? The memories that we have will last a lifetime. 

If you’re grieving a loved one today, think about all that you gained just by knowing them. Remember if they died in Christ they are merely sleeping and will awaken again! Linger in the memories, Smile often, Keep the Faith and Live in the Red.  You are loved and forgiven! 

#Grateful

#Loved

#Forgiven 

#GrievingButGrateful

#OurGiantsHaveFallenAsleep 

Check out The Living In The Red YouTube Channel: 

https://youtu.be/U98d4-zU0D0

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