"Jesus Wept"

The title of this post is the shortest verse in the Bible.  It is found in John's Gospel (11:35) and describes Jesus' reaction to seeing Mary and Martha grieving the death of their brother, Lazarus.  Jesus fully intended to raise Lazarus from the dead (which he later did), but he was troubled because of the pain he saw in his friends.

I love this picture.  The creator of the entire universe, having come to earth as a man to provide a way of salvation, was crying because his friends were sad.  The people around watching this scene were taken aback by Jesus' loving display of emotion.

This verse has always stuck out to me, because I can be a total cry-baby, and I used to hate it.  That little verse lets me know that I'm in good company when I cry about something serious.  I cry when I talk about my own painful life experiences or when I really care deeply about something.  That said, I have cried more in the last week than I have in the previous 10 years combined.

Seeing Mom in pain because of the prospect of missing her best friend of almost 36 years makes me cry.  Talking about Siena not remembering the wonderful time she enjoyed with her Poppy makes me cry.  Thinking of how much Sarah loves our Dad and how she will have difficulty processing this trial makes me cry.  Talking to Richie about how much we'll miss having Dad to call for advice makes me cry.  Hearing about Luke's pure and child-like faith when he heard that Poppy will be going to be with Jesus soon makes me cry.  Getting messages from friends who have looked up to Dad as one of their father-figures makes me cry.  I'm a wreck. :)

But these are not tears of despair.

They are obviously tears of sadness, but they are also tears of hope.  For Dad, because of his faith, the end of this life is not The End.  It is the beginning of something far better.  Dad would be the first to tell you that this world was not his home.  Dad often quoted Paul, who said that "our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."  (Phil. 3:20-21)

Dad's body is extra-lowly right now, but he is hanging in there.  His vital signs are stable, but there has been no improvement.  He looks okay, but a week in a coma does not do a body good.  However, Dad, more than anyone I know, looked forward to the time he would meet his Maker and receive a body that was imperishable.  He sometimes had vivid dreams about this, and savored every one.

We are still praying for a miracle, but we are also praying for wisdom and peace during this time.  Thanks again for all of your prayers and support.  I feel like a broken record saying that so many times, but please know that I really mean it.

Please pray for Grace, as she is still in Antarctica.  She is coming homeward on the next flight out, but the weather there has pushed back her estimated departure time.  She is currently scheduled to leave tomorrow (Thursday) if weather predictions hold.  We all look forward to having her back in town for a bit, but wish it wasn't under these circumstances.

If people want to visit Dad and Mom at the hospital, they can.  Just let us know if you're coming.  We like short, quiet visits, preferably in ones or twos.

Goodnight.