In Memory of Dianne

We have a funeral in our church family this week.  Dianne Paton, a dear sister in Christ, was taken to heaven suddenly last week.  As we heard in a message this weekend, there might be tears here on earth, but there is rejoicing in heaven.  God decided that her work here was done and it was time for her to be with Him. 

Dianne lived just around the corner from us, so we had the pleasure of getting to know her a little better in the past few years.  Some of us also went over from time to time to help with the leaves or the snow.  We have found it to be such a pleasure that God has given us opportunities to touch lives right here in our neighbourhood. (It's awesome!)

Well, it is very striking to drive past Dianne's house now and see her car sitting in the driveway.  For us as a family, it has given us opportunies once again to think and talk about the realities of life and death.  To consider eternal realities and especially in this world of "things", to see the reminder that Dianne's "things" are sitting there and she is no longer here.  This world, our lives, are not about things.  It's not about stuff.  It's not about our home, our cars, our gadgets, our clothes, our toys, our portfolio, or our books.  You and I were created and put on this earth for one purpose, and one purpose only.  For God. 

Christians mourn.  We still shed tears and we will still miss her.  The glorious reality is that though we might still mourn, we don't mourn as those who have no hope.  We can rejoice and praise God in days like this, because of Christ's work on the cross.  We have a Saviour and a Friend up above who desires that we be with Him where He is. Dianne is experiencing that reality right now.  What a Saviour we have!

I have one daffodil in my garden and it looks pretty isolated out there.  In honour of our friend Dianne, I have captured a picture of that solitary daffodil and posted it here  along with the words of a simple little song that captures my thoughts these days.

I am praying that even though the hurt is still fresh for those who were close to Dianne, we might still be glorifying Jesus in our thoughts and actions.  I pray that we might experience the oil of joy in the place of our mourning and that our heaviness of heart will be replaced by a garment of praise!

"You give and take away. You give and take away.

My heart will choose to say...Lord blessed be your name!"