4/18/13 Weekly Grace Notes: Experiencing Bittersweetness

On one of the biggest days in my life, I lost one of the greatest men I knew. That is, in early March of 1996, when preparing for graduation ceremonies at The Ohio State University to receive my PhD in accounting, I learned of the expectation that my father-in-law would transition at anytime after a two-year battle with cancer. The news was indeed bittersweet. Consequently, you could imagine my shock when my husband Kevin and I arrived at my father-in-law’s home on the day of graduation to find banners and streamers throughout his home celebrating me!

Kevin and I got word shortly thereafter that the doctor did not expect Mr. Turner to make it through the day, and so I insisted that Kevin go to be with him, and I prayed that God would keep my father-in-law here on this side until I could make it back. You could then imagine how further dazed I was to see Kevin at the ceremony when it was time for me to cross the graduation stage.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He replied, “My family would not let me stay and I know that this is what my dad wants.”

So that morning I crossed a graduation stage to receive my PhD in accounting and that evening Mr. Turner crossed another stage to receive his eternal wings in heaven.

Torn, perplexed, and uncertain as to how to process what had taken place on that day, I asked God what could I learn from this? He revealed to me the following: Because life is uncertain, living must be intentional.  

Praying for all of the families who have lost loved ones in 2013, and particularly those who have suffered from the most recent tragedies. May you find the peace that only God can provide, and find strength to move on with intentionality.

Scripture meditation: I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. (New International Version) Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Comments

[Lynn Randall Amos]

Your story really blessed me and shared a lesson. So glad you have developed "Grace Notes"