Just Goodbye for Now

Today we suffered a horrible loss as the family of Christ.  Our friend and sister, Christa, went to be with Jesus.  I hope that I do her some justice in this blog but I am not sure I will or even can.  I am stunned and shocked. My heart breaks for Andy and their children as they mourn someone who can never be replaced in their lives. 

Christa and I were friends, not BFF as they say, just friends.  We laughed together.  We cried together.  We prayed together.  I know that she loved Jesus, her husband, and her babies.  Well, all babies; yeah, think she loved all babies.  She was born to be a Mama. 

Christa lived a life worth living.  She lived a life of faith even in the dark times.  She was an example of joy and hope and radiance.  The power of prayer in this awful time that has united people who don't know each other but know our risen Lord reflects the kind of person that she was.  That God will be glorified in this tragedy that makes no sense to me somehow seems to reflect her beliefs in Him.  

Christa celebrates now with her Lord, and she is reunited with those gone before her.  I think she is holding her babies that she never got to meet before now and I think she just might be snuggling with little Caleb Emmons, too, and holding him tight until his mama and daddy gets there to do it themselves. 

Today is not goodbye forever,  just goodbye for now.  Christa waits for us on the other side of eternity.  We will see her again when we, the imperfect, put on the perfection of Christ.  Death has been swallowed in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54)  This is not the end, just a really crappy "now".  

We will continue to pray for Andy and  the family.  We will mourn.  And pray some more.  And grieve.   And pray again.  And we will somehow find strength to rejoice (Philippians 4:4)