Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Fourth Day of the Year

This day is what it is. In my humanness I would like to say that it "could have been" or "would have been" special but in God's plan it is just what it is...the fourth of January. Last year the fourth of January was Eric's 41st birthday but this year the fourth is just another day.

Birthdays are truly an invention of our world. We mark each year with a celebration of life, a celebration of another year given by God. But, when you leave this world there is no need for keeping tabs on how many years you have existed. After death is eternal life (or death if you do not confess that Jesus is Lord!). Eternal...never ending.
Eric is continuously celebrating the eternal life that he has been given. As this life on earth is a gift from our Heavenly Father how much greater is the gift of eternal life? Never fearing death again, never shedding a tear, never worried about the future. What an incredible gift that we all have been given...it is what we are all suppose to be looking forward to, working toward.

We are not doing anything particularly different today besides that I stayed home from church. But, that was partly do to having three of my six children dealing with the cold that has been floating around our church. I have been doing a lot of thinking though. Thinking about good times. Thinking about those sad moments at the hospital. Thinking about how blessed I am and yet I so wish I could have joined Eric on his final journey. We did everything together and how I wish that this, the most important journey of all, could be something you do together. But, as my thoughts travel down this road I realize that the reason we say "till death do us part" is that our husband/wife relationship turns into a brother/sister relationship at death. This is an incredible reminder to me to keep pressing on because although Eric's time on earth is no longer, my journey on this earth is not done.
There is still a lot more sanctifying that this mortal soul needs.

For those of you who knew that this would be another hard day in this first year I thank you for your prayers. God is using you as a tool to bless me and my family.
I hope He blesses you in return.
~Heather

6 comments:

kymk99 said...

Heather,

God has had you and your family on an amazing journey this past year. I hope you have had a chance to save these journal entries you have made on your blog. They are a testimony of how much you have grown over the past year. You will continue to be in my prayers.

Yvonne :o)

P.S. I love the new header photo on your blog!

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog since Eric died last year. I knew today would be especially difficult for you. Today is my husband's birthday also. We prayed for you today and will continue.

Caroline Howard said...

Not a day goes by that I don't think of Eric and miss him dearly. Especially right now as we prepare to move into a new home. I know how excited Eric is for us and I know that he would have been right here with us helping us out. He is a great man and heaven is a better place with him there! You and the kids continue to be in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Love ya~C

Stacy McDonald said...

Heather,

We love y'all. You have handled your trials with such a grace and dignity. God is so obviously at work in you.

Kristin Lodi said...

Heather,
Your perspective is awesome. I know the 4th day of the year must be difficult to swallow, which was Eric's birthday but God gives you a wonderful perspective to get you through. Instead of sitting in the past you are moving towards the future, your eternal home, where Eric is now. This ministers to me also as it is so easy to think this life is all there is. We forget the eternalness of our being,that God is waiting for us on the other side and life will be so different! As you said, there won't be birthdays to keep track of our lives. I've never considered this before!
Thanks Heather for being so honest online. I am blessed by your courage and strength but mostly your faith in our Sovereign Lord. He is truly incredible!
I love the song you designated as your family song for this year! What great words to describe what is going on with you all. Your New Years resolutions made me ponder my own parenting. Giving your kids a hug every day resonated with me along with taking a deep breath and praying before responding. I can so relate to you on these two and think I'll steal them for my own resolutions!
Love you friend!
Kristin Lodi

heather said...

Heather, I found your blog through Preschoolers and Peace and have been reading it like a novel that I just can seem to put down. I just wanted you to know that you are an encouragement to each person who finds your blog. Thank you for being so real and always pointing us all back to our Savior. I have been praying for you as you and your family come to my mind....which actually has been quite a bit! :) Your family is beautiful and it is obvious that God is blessing you all in a special way.