The Journey of Life: Anchored by Love
The family, along with a few close friends, gathered in the small room. Little was said as they watched and waited for their loved one to take that final breath. Once the last gasp for air was heard, the nurse quietly and gently checked for a heartbeat, though everyone in the room understood that it was over. A few more tears were shed, and comments reflecting a mix of emotions and relief punctuated the silence for a few moments. Then the question arose, "Where are we going to go eat?" Life goes on.
Flowers bloom, and their beauty is accompanied by a sweet fragrance until the breeze becomes too strong, causing colorful petals to fall to the ground. In a short time, the beauty fades, and the sweetness disappears. Life goes on.
Years of pushing, teaching, laughing, and even crying culminate in that special day of graduation. School is over, and that little bundle of joy has grown up, ready to embark on their own life filled with new adventures and countless opportunities. The empty nest is no longer a concept one merely reads about; it is now a reality. Life goes on.
Life continues, and despite the countless hours of exercise and care taken in living, we must acknowledge that our old friend called "me" continues to age. We begin to understand that those we love will eventually face their end, and life will change once again. Yet, amid the passage of time, we must remember one very special truth: we are loved through every moment.
Not only does scripture remind us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), but it also assures us that He loves us. As articulated in 1 John 4:16, "...so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." I must remember that even when I may not feel lovable or deserving of God's love, it remains an undeniable fact. Flowers may fade and die, and friends and family may move and change, but through it all, I, like you, am loved.
Thus, as I journey through life on this earth, regardless of whether others agree with me or not, I am loved. In moments of solitude, I am still loved. When I watch my child drive away to start their own life, I am still loved. Regardless of the twists and turns or challenges that arise, I am loved. Ultimately, as life goes on, I am loved—just as you are loved.