If there is one place that you want hope, it is in a cemetery. “Hope beyond the grave” is a cornerstone of our faith. Hope at a grave is bittersweet.
Honestly, I don’t know what it is like to visit a cemetery (other than for genealogical reasons) without the buffer of hope. I’ve said “goodbye” to a number of friends and family members, but always with the hope of them being in heaven and of seeing them again someday. I can’t imagine how it would be to grieve without hope. (I Thessalonians 4:13 ESV)
Yet, even if you hope for heaven, there is a starkness about a new grave and a marker.
My mom’s marker was placed this past week and Dad and I went to see it on Friday. How sweet to watch my Dad kneel, pull away some of the weeds and grass cuttings, and talk aloud with his God. He let Him know that he was “ready” at any time to come home as well and then he prayed for all their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be together in heaven someday. While he had questions about life on earth, he had no doubt about the hope of glory.
Throughout the month of August, I am going to post short comments, good quotes, and whatever else strikes my fancy—all on the subject of hope. Please read each one as a subtle form of nagging. I’m listening for your side of the conversation. After all, it is August.
Very nice marker, I like the Prov. 31 reference, and it is a great testimony to be able to place that on someone’s permanent marker. A testimony of a Godly woman’s life well lived in many different arenas. At the Billy Graham Library where I volunteer, Ruth Bell Graham’s gravestone says ” End of Construction, Thank You For Your Patience”. We are all under construction, and our goal is to be made into the image of Christ, so that when we see Him, He will say “well done you good and faithful servant.” That is my hope… to have something of value to present to Christ from this temporary life I am blessed to have.