Waves of Grief and Grace - a guest post by Laura Latham

Dear friends of Church 4 Chicks,

Since the turn of the year, our little team has experienced the painful reality of death several times as team members have lost dear, close friends, parents, grandparents, a spouse; and most recently a beloved fiance just in the past week.

A friend of this ministry, Laura Price Latham, knows the reality of this kind of loss all too well as her family marks the 6-month anniversary of her brother's very unexpected home going. It is with her permission that we share this with you. 

May the Grace and Peace of our Savior be with us all.

*********************************************************************

Six months ago today, my sweet brother entered into the presence of his beloved Lord and Savior. To say that the last six months have changed our lives is an understatement. It has truly changed everything. Heaven is no longer a place we will go when we die, but our true home; a place we long for. This world: a temporary dwelling. Life: fleeting; a vapor. People: made in the image of God who desperately need a Savior. The Gospel: urgent and our only hope. The apostle Paul said in Colossians to, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Although our family has always been one to place more value on the things of God, there is something about death that completely shifts your focus to that which is eternal... That makes you long for heaven.

Over the last six months, we have grieved, but every time the tumultuous waves of grief have hit, waves of grace have swept in even harder and hope has anchored our hearts and souls. As much as we may grieve, however, the irony of death for our family(and all believers) is this: My brother is at home in the very presence of the Lord, But we remain "foreigners and temporary residents in this world." My brother is more alive today than ever, while we are the ones who are "outwardly wasting away."

So when my heart aches because it feels that my family is broken, I remember this truth--- that God will not leave this world this broken, but He will one day restore it to its perfect order and make all things new. When I feel the painful sting of death, my heart rejoices in the Resurrection of Jesus and I thank God that because of it, "DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY!" Thank you Jesus!

This originally appeared here and is shared with Laura's permission.