Swallowed Up by Life

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
2nd Corinthians 5:2-4 NLT

In 2011, I attended the Homegoing celebration of one Mrs. Sullivan. I never met her face-to-face, but I know and love her daughter and son-in-law. That afternoon, I was invited into the private world of Mrs. Sullivan by those who loved her. It was an interesting place inhabited by a strong-willed woman who was clearly defined by her love for her family and friends, always wanting to take care of everyone, who loved to laugh, and liked to cheat at any game she played... and she let you know right up front that she would cheat. Ha!

Libby told me about one of her mother's escapades that took place earlier in 2011. Libby got a call at work - her frantic husband was on the other end to tell Libby that her mother was up on the roof with her former handyman because Mrs. Sullivan was convinced there was something up there that needed to be fixed. No one had any idea how they were able to wangle the extension ladder out of the garage, let alone climb it to get on the roof! At the time, Mrs. Sullivan was 87 years old - and her former handyman was in his 90's!  

You see, Alzheimer's had started to take its toll on Mrs. Sullivan's ability to stay in the present. Her latter years of life were being swallowed up by the dread disease. As is often the case with Alzheimer patients, those who were Christians before the onset, don't lose that relationship. They still know the Word, they know how to pray and want to, and they still worship. Mrs. Sullivan was no exception. She saw and heard things that weren't really there, but she knew enough to ask her son-in-law to pray for her and with her. 

Pastor Alan Neel explained it beautifully. We often think of death as the end of life, but that's not the truth. Mrs. Sullivan's latter years were being swallowed up by Alzheimer's, but when she passed from life as we know it, according to our Scripture for today, she put on her new body, and the dying body was swallowed up by Life. Eternal life. No tears, no pain, no heartache.

Life, full and free. Forever...

Prayer:

Father, 
           We don't always understand the why of things, but we know that You are trustworthy. We thank You for Your Word which gives us real hope in times like these. Thank You for the promises of eternity with You. Death swallowed up by victory. In Jesus' Name we give You praise. Amen