For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly...
...but then, face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but, the greatest of these is love. II Corinthians 13:12,13
Early that morning, we watched a news report about a auto accident that had happened overnight. The report showed the paramedics loading a covered stretcher into the back of the ambulance. It pulled away without flashing lights or siren. There was no need to rush. The victim was beyond what mortal man could do for her. There had been three people in the car. The other two were not seriously hurt. When it rolled, one of the young ladies was thrown from it and died at the scene. Just a short time later, my mother-in-law called and asked if I knew where my husband was working. She asked if I could get a message to him, then told me, "Jennifer was killed in an car wreck early this morning." It was the same auto accident we had seen on the news.
Jennifer Lynn 1977-2000
I don't know which is worse--the initial realization of what has happened, or the "firsts" that follow. You know, the things you used to do that will be forever changed. I remember when our six-year old died and the "first" time of needing only four plates, not five. And that holiday as family and friends gather: you find yourself looking for that person, only to realize it's the "first" year without them. At family gatherings, Jennifer was almost always late. It was OK, we told her the important people could be. Yet, she was always there. As family and friends gathered at the funeral home, I saw our teenager crumpled into a corner and went to her. She said, "Mama, you know how you always look around for those who haven't arrived yet? I keep looking for Jennifer to walk in, then I realize she's already here."
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly...
I remember the first time I met Jennifer. She was a rowdy, rough-and-tumble child of barely seven. Already, she was making her way in the world. She was deaf and thus her speech was impaired, but she learned very early in life that in order to be "heard", she had to be seen. And seen she was! She could make her presence known in very real ways, even if it meant she had to pound on your arm or poke you in the tummy. You were not allowed to ignore her. Through the years, we watched this gangly, used-to-be-awkward girl, search for her own identity, her mark in this world. Each time we saw her, we were always struck by her beauty. When she smiled, her dimples would deepen and her eyes would twinkle (especially if she was up to mischief). For her to be unable to verbalize as we did, she "spoke" very loudly. Our family was blessed that my husband's parents could see after our youngest child while we worked. Jennifer lived with them (to be close to her school), thus our daughter learned to "sign" at an early age. One of her fondest memories of her cousin is that of Jennifer sitting on the couch, bobbing her head up and down to her own internal music. She was a good student with high marks in her classes and took extra job skill courses in high school so she would be qualified for various employment positions. At least while she was at school, she was considered an "equal" person. It was out in the "everyday" world that she faced the reality of those different from her. Dressed in her best, with a smile on her face, she doggedly applied to one store or factory after another. She soon learned that employers were eager to hire her UNTIL they found out she was deaf. On more than one occasion she was told they didn't want their customers to be embarrassed by the sounds she made when she tried to talk "like other people". Or, "so sad such a beautiful girl was deaf". We always wondered if they thought deafness was reserved only for the ugly or non-"lookers" of this world? Too bad--it was their loss. Jennifer was quick-witted and had a marvelous sense of humor. The things that we [with the ability to hear] take for granted--the everyday sounds that we shut out--would have meant a lot to her: the call of an early morning bird, church bells playing in the distance, autumn leaves stirring, sweet words whispered in her ear, her children's voices--those things were not a part of her world. She loved her children dearly; she left behind two beautiful daughters, Katherine Nichole and Bethany Ann.
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly...
When Jennifer left work in those early morning hours, it was not with death on her mind. The last time any of us saw her, it never occurred to us those were the last moments we'd spend together. But you see, death is not just for the old or sick. When the separation of death comes, whether unexpectedly or after lingering sickness, we're left with memories, and sometimes there's not the comfort in them we wish there could be. That gift we "meant to" give; that card we "meant to" send; that visit we "meant to" make; that compliment we "meant to" pass--forever suspended in "The Land of I Wish I Had...". We need to learn to slow down and "smell the roses" BEFORE they are part of a casket spray!
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly...
Jesus said: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:12,14. These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. I John 3:11,23,24. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. I John 4:7-11. Nowhere in there do I find that we are to love only those who are "just like us". The Bible teaches us we are to love one another, for "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." The Love of God reaches beyond ALL barriers. It is the bridge between ourselves and others. We cheat only OURselves when we let physical impairments, the color of one's skin, material possessions (or the lack thereof) keep us from being a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ through the extension of love and fellowship to those we know and meet. Do we think we can somehow justify such selfishness to God?
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly...
We do see through a glass darkly, my friends: we cannot understand why some are taken so early, why others have to suffer so long, why so many things happen the way they do. The only peace we can ever have about the things that come into our lives, the heartbreaks and grief we must bear, the trials and tribulations we go through, is to commit it all unto the Lord. We will miss those we love in this life, but you see, we have a hope BEYOND this existence. Oh Thank God, we have a hope BEYOND this vale of sorrow! If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. I Corinthians 15:19-22. Now do you see the importance of loving others in Christ? It is so that they can be drawn to Him, to know eternal life through Him. Therein lies our hope--in Christ! When his son died, David said, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (II Samuel 12:23). Oh, let me tell you, the pain that grips our hearts as we grieve for those we love who are no longer with us--it is not dismissed. God knows our sorrows--He knows our pain. He sent His Only Begotten Son to live on this earth and experience our human frailties. Because of His love for us, we can have a reunion day, we can see them again! And the best news of all is, never again will we be separated. Together, forever, in the presence of He Who loved us most!
For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly... ...but then, face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Through no fault of her own, Jennifer bore a burden in this life. And she handled it well--it was the rest of the world that had a problem with it. We know the Lord had a plan and a purpose for Jennifer and for those whose lives she touched. Yes, Jennifer may have been deaf. She may have been mute. Yet she "spoke" volumes with her life. "Her world" may have been one of silence, but she will never fade quietly into the night--for she left heartprints in each of our lives.
(all emphasis on scriptures such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "For Now We See Through A Glass Darkly" Copyright © 2000 by Patricia Sikes. All Rights Reserved.
Precious Memories J.B.F. Wright As I travel on life's pathway I know not what the future holds. As I ponder, hope grows fonder. Precious memories flood my soul. Precious Memories, how they linger. How they ever flood my soul! In the stillness of the midnight Precious, sacred scenes unfold.
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