My heart is still very full this week after much grieving for a pastor who is gone. Much of what I have thought and learned and dreamed and felt will pass without record. That is sad. But over and over this week, the message has been that nothing, nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Nothing. Especially not death. We are very clear on that in this community of faith. As we continue through Lent, the suffering of Jesus - but also of the whole of creation - is very real this year. But Easter is coming. And death has no victory.
If you need assurance of that this week, spend some time in Romans 8. Look carefully into the story of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus (any of the gospels), and rejoice in the truth of 1 Corinthians 15:54-58. A powerful sermon by Jamie's friend and colleague is linked to the title of this post. May God show you his unbounded love this week, no matter what seeks to come between you both.
A great man died on Thursday. A man who was influential in my life. A man who shaped my understanding of faith, ministry, and the church. A man who I very often disagreed with. And I've never been so sad. All of the cliched grief symptoms are not so cliche this week. I can't sleep. I don't want to eat. Breathing is just so hard. I truly do feel like I'm being kicked in the stomach over and over and over. All of this over someone who I was more likely to have an argument than a friendly chat with.
I apologize if this post rambles a bit. I am still wrestling with the rawness. I'm still denying this has happened, so it's difficult to put anything concrete in writing. One thing must be said, however: I'm sorry. Jamie, I'm sorry that we left your church without resolving all of our differences. I'm sorry that I was so angry with you and never told you. I'm sorry I never thanked you for the hard work that you did for our congregation, even for our family who you didn't particularly like or agree with. And I'm sorry that you left us before your work was done. I wish you could be here to hear me say this. Thank you. Thank you for helping me grow in my faith and in my understanding of God's kingdom. Thank you for reaching out and encouraging my new pastor-husband. Thank you for reminding me, even this week in your death, to say what I need to say to those around me. Thank you. Rest in our Lord's Peace, Jamie.
An odd way to begin a list of thanksgivings for the week, I know. But even in the grief, I am still thankful for: 258. Rob not injured in the car accident 259. USAA, our insurance company 260. A special rental "car" 261. Playing Wii with Rob 262. Good muscle aches 263. Saratoga Children's Museum on 264. David 265. turning 3 266. Grace for birthday cupcakes 267. Jamie Evans 268. Sharing grief with a friend who also knows the pain of loss 269. Having insurance to cover the total loss of our car 270. Skype 271. My brother on his birthday 272. A conversation with a fellow high school leader
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live. Deuteronomy 30:19
