Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 – “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (ESV)
Message: God used Lila to teach me not only that your best friend doesn’t have to be the same age as you (I was in 8th grade when our paths crossed and she wasn’t yet one year old), or even attain the same numbers of chromosomes as you (she had Down Syndrome). God used Lila to show me and others more of His love. Upon her unexpected and unwanted entry to heaven, she was going to become my personal but not private entry to the down right harshness of the whirlwind of profound grief of which I’ve never experienced. I would never choose to go down this gray clouded journey but in the same breath there are tiny peeks of sunshine given to me which are all unexpected blessings.
The gray clouds don’t vanish until that unclouded day as the old hymn sings of. But until then I can continue to cling to the unweaving truth of God’s words and surround myself with others who will help me do the same.
One of my favorite truths from God’s word is 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, I still remember that the message at Lila’s “celebration of life” was focused upon this chapter. Therefore, it held a bitter sadness for quite some time whenever it popped up in my path. But now I can reflect on this passage and be okay with the sadness that may trickle from it. By no means is it a sad passage but it’s a passage filled with so much hope (as most scripture is) and outlines how we are to relate to each other especially in a church family (again many places in scripture). Love.
Love is the greatest. We can spend our days doing grand things for others but if there’s no love for the main ingredient then it’s pointless. We can spend our day doing the smallest things for others and if that main ingredient is in the mixture then even the smallest thing done is worth it. The line comes to mind, “Do small things with great love” all the while resting in the truth of it is Christ who already completed the work upon the cross with the resurrection which restored our relationship with Him.
Call to action: Look up James 2:14-26 to see how you can put your faith into action today?