~a blog about looking through scripture's lens at life and love. ~a place to journal my chronological study of God's Word in the hope that someday my children's children will be entertained by what's funny, encouraged by what's challenging, and exhorted by what's gospel.
and occasionally, I'm gonna sneak in a post about other interesting stuff. Welcome to my celebration of cerebrations!
Last night I had a dream that my dad was standing on the other side of a glass door making silly faces at me. It was one of those vivid dreams that didn't seem imaginary at all.
I stayed in bed for a little while after waking. I wanted to go back to sleep and keep dreaming; to return to that place where only a glass door separated us so that I could open it and talk to him.
As this day has progressed I can't get his smiling, goofy expression from the dream out of my head. I've actually giggled aloud a few times picturing his effort to make me laugh through that door.
I know that dreams aren't typically messages, but this one--I think--was Dad's way of assuring me that he's having a blast, that he feels great (no more heart or breathing problems) and that his energy is back to what it was when he was entertaining us with a game of kickball in the backyard after working all day in the hot summer sun.
Daddy used to tell me, "That'll feel better when it quits hurtin,'" if I was bruised or bleeding. In this case, I don't think his absence will ever quit hurtin', but there's such sweet solace in God's promise that I'll see him again.
If you have children, chances are you'll leave them behind one day. Let's be the kind of parents they'll miss--or maybe even dream about sometime.
On Sunday afternoon, friends and family of Tiffany Pate gathered at Stowe Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of her "home-going".
The day could not have been more gloriously beautiful, and the event could not have been more meaningful to those of us who participated. Tiffany's life left an indelible imprint on those she left behind, and to say she's greatly missed seems a gross understatement. Yet in spite of the hole in my heart, I am more confident than ever that God's plan is continuing to unfold in a way that only He could orchestrate.
For those who wanted to be with us and were unable, here's what you missed:
At 1:15, I welcomed everyone and simply read an excerpt from one of Tiffany's last emails. Here are her words:
...Now, what I really want to get across with this e-mail is how much I love all of you and appreciate you from the very bottom of my heart! My mindset is amazing and I am filled with the joy of my LORD every single day! I love Him, and my FAITH in Him will NEVER waver! I am more at peace with this diagnosis than I have ever been. I am totally okay with the best case scenario or the worst case scenario because the worst case scenario is of this world...not of my GOD!!! I win either way! It's really an amazing feeling to know the peace that I am experiencing! If the doctor looked at me tomorrow and said, "okay, girl...we are going to hook you up to these pain meds, make this as easy and quick as possible, and help you all get through this"...my response would be...."let's go"
My only reason(s) for staying here one more day is to Glorify my God in any way we can! I trust Him to take care of my boys and my husband! I trust Him to take care of my family! We are going to get through this! The big deal is to not finish this race without fulfilling God's purpose for it! So, please, never feel that God has let me down or is "not delivering". My eyes and heart are not focused on the immediate track we are running. My eyes are focused on the puzzle that I cannot see until the last piece is in. Whatever small part I can play in placing that one piece in the right place is all I have to worry about! I want your prayer to be that that will remain our focus and that we won't "miss" anything God has intended for us along the way!
I want to be an open vessel for my God, and the rest will take care of itself. If you have one moment to share His glory, grab it with full force and never take it for granted!
I am probably at my limit now....but, I will be in touch soon!
I love you all and will never know how to thank you for being all that you are in my life!
In Him,
Tiffany
Immediately after sharing this profound message, Nichole (my precious daughter-in-law) sang Nichole Nordeman's "Legacy" as friends and family released their balloons to heaven.
Tiffany's Aunt Trish made a video that captured the beauty of our celebration. As you watch, reflect--and think about the legacy you'll leave when God calls you home.
Tiffany Pate's faith and bravery still inspires me each day, prompting me to pray for God's help to live my life focused on eternal rather than temporal things. I hope you're encouraged as you read about her journey to "go and do likewise".
