Originally posted in my old newsletter, “It’s Hard Being Human,” on November 19th, 2021
I watched from the shadows near the wall as she gently extended her arms toward him, slowly helping him lift from the bed to try to make it to a nearby chair.
I could see that his soul really is outgrowing his ailing body, his flesh no longer a wineskin appropriate enough to hold him on this side of heaven.
And then I kept watching as he decided he couldn’t do it, his strength too emptied, and with her tiny body she helped him slowly lie back down in the bed, his skin and bones lying almost flush with the mattress.
The sound of her voice as she said, “okay, dear,” sounded like what heaven must — like the touch of warm water on a winter morning; full of pure love and gentleness; all malice far and forgotten.
In a moment, watching her give all of herself with such genuine care to the man who’s been by her side for over 60 years, I finally believed what Jesus had said so long ago:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The truth was made manifest before me — great love requires great risk, great pain, great loss among great joy, great pleasure, great adventure.
Great love requires great courage and heart that are not of this world — but when it’s lived, even the unbelieving can’t help but see God.
Sickness and death and loss — they were never meant to be part of what it is to be human. And, here we are, still left with a God who lives and laid down His life for His friends.
Here’s to my grandparents — what a gift they’ve given me.
What a Love they’ve shown me.
Praise be to God.