February 15th, 2025
by Matt Parker
by Matt Parker
Some days, weeks, months, and even years are harder than rest. This week was one of those weeks. Two days ago we met with key members of Brynna's care team and made some hard decisions and plans regarding her end-of-life care. Our prayer is we never need it, that Jesus would come soon to rescue her, and us, from "the body of this death" we hear Paul talk about (Romans 7:24). But the reality is, short of His timely return, death comes for us all (Hebrews 9:27)
Like the old tires being replaced on my car, or bodies will one day wear out and lose their usefulness, ushering us from a partial understanding of reality into actual Reality with Him; this mortal will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53).
Like these tires, Brynna's body is wearing out, but her soul, the true and real person she was created to be, that spark of life we have grown to love and cherish, is actually growing closer and closer to the completeness He promised from the beginning. These hard days always make me introspective and contemplative; this week finds me no different. As I wait for the technicians to finish their work, it isn't lost on me how incredibly blessed we have been over the years to see God and His creation through her eyes.
She sees the word in such a different and pure way. I confess, I'm a little jealous. She seems to "know" things and "see" things we can't perceive. It probably isn't true, but it seems like she's even been more affectionate lately. As if she knows this is hard for us, too; like she is comforting US!
As odd as it seems, the hard days are the ones that actually bring us life, joy, and peace, because often it is only here, in the midst of the dark night of the soul, that we are able to experience the surpassing wonder of knowing God.
One day we will see Him as He is. One day He will return and the saints, whose bodies simply wore out, will be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
Oh what a day that will be.
Like the old tires being replaced on my car, or bodies will one day wear out and lose their usefulness, ushering us from a partial understanding of reality into actual Reality with Him; this mortal will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53).
Like these tires, Brynna's body is wearing out, but her soul, the true and real person she was created to be, that spark of life we have grown to love and cherish, is actually growing closer and closer to the completeness He promised from the beginning. These hard days always make me introspective and contemplative; this week finds me no different. As I wait for the technicians to finish their work, it isn't lost on me how incredibly blessed we have been over the years to see God and His creation through her eyes.
She sees the word in such a different and pure way. I confess, I'm a little jealous. She seems to "know" things and "see" things we can't perceive. It probably isn't true, but it seems like she's even been more affectionate lately. As if she knows this is hard for us, too; like she is comforting US!
As odd as it seems, the hard days are the ones that actually bring us life, joy, and peace, because often it is only here, in the midst of the dark night of the soul, that we are able to experience the surpassing wonder of knowing God.
One day we will see Him as He is. One day He will return and the saints, whose bodies simply wore out, will be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
Oh what a day that will be.
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