As I was preparing to sing at a friend’s funeral this week, I was reminded that the loss of a spouse to death is something I’ve never experienced (thank God!). Neither have I been divorced nor lived an adult life without a spouse. (Again, thank God!) So, I can only imagine the despair that losing one half of oneself can cause. Half? Yes, I know it’s not PC to say it anymore, that in marriage two shall become one, but that doesn’t negate the scripture that says in a couple of places, but first in Genesis 2:24 “…a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Some believe this refers only to sexual consummation that God sanctioned for marriage, while others take it more literally (yet spiritually): two human beings completing each other–morphing from individuals into a singular creature. The second interpretation is where I stand.
Two lives into one.
Of course, if this is true, does death cut a happily married couple in half leaving the remaining half barely alive? That’s where my friend, Cindy, probably is right now. After 30+ years of her “doing life” with her husband, Bill, will she have to now be half of a complete person for the rest of her life? Maybe for a while it will feel that way. Though I don’t think she’ll ever replace that missing piece of herself that was also Bill, I do believe that she will experience the kind of healing that only God can provide.
I believe that the same Christ who “completed” lame and blind and deaf people to fully functioning humans…who raised lifeless bodies to walk and talk and eat again…can do that even today with broken people, even those who have lost a part of themselves no matter the circumstances. I believe in not only restoration, but re-creation of a person after losing a part of who they have become. And why not?
“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Thank you Nan
Thank you for words of wisdom. Va. & I agree with you. Thank you for the way you & Dennis continue to minister to folks – to Cindy and also to us.
Jerry & Virginia Rankin
My heart breaks for Cindy and her family. I told John and Greg to please take care of her. I guess she and her Mom can hold each other up as well. We will miss Bill, however, he is now healed and is now on the Lord’s baseball team, if he has one.
Thank you Nan!
That was so beautiful for you to put your friends loss as half of her missing!
True love you lose to death or divorce is a loss!
You are such a inspiration to us all Nan!
Thanks, sweet friend. Wow…you always hit the nail on the head. God is sustaining me along with family and friends. I miss Bill terribly but am so glad that he is no longer suffering as he was the last few days before his death. Love you!!!