Anniversaries.
You may remember marking moments like the day you started a new job, a first kiss, college graduation, the day you accepted Jesus. You remember the date of your wedding, when babies were born, your Mom’s birthday…
These are life-giving, joy-filled moments we savor.
But what about the anniversary of a death?
A year ago today, just after midnight, my brother David died. This morning I’ve been re-reading the passage of Scripture my other brother, Cris read at the memorial service. He was struck by the fact that David lived the verse:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
I’ve been meditating on it, praying it.
Psalm 34
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
I “will” – it’s a choice, a discipline, a commitment. I will glory “in the Lord” – not in my circumstances. He is good and unchanging.
“Everyone worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” Timothy Keller
David lived this. When cancer came, yes, he prayed for healing, but he worshipped God, not his own desires.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
Together. We choose, especially in times of pain, to draw together. Though our voices may falter, we invite each other to join us in a broken hallelujah.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
I look at all the verbs in this Psalm that refer to our action – “sought”, “look”, “called”, “fear” “taste”, “take refuge”. We can cry out to the Lord with all that is in us. We look to Him to bring Life in the midst of death.
He “delivers”, “hears”, “saves”, “blesses”, “encamps” around us.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
To be blessed is to will Life for someone, to flourish. With the Lord we will experience blessing – Life even in the midst of death.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
Other versions translate “fear” as “reverence” or “worship”.
“All shall work together for good; everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds.” John Newton
And then verse 18… The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Lord, we praise You that though the darkness of grief can threaten to eclipse everything else, You are a good God and your Light will not allow the darkness to overcome. We have felt confused, comforted, crushed, and carried this year… But we choose to trust You no matter what. “You are a good, good Father. It’s who You are.” We praise You for your faithfulness and compassion. We praise You that though we miss David terribly, You have overcome death and that we will live forever with You and him.
Tonight, family and close friends will gather at Susan’s for one of the grilling dinners that David loved so much to host. As we come together we look forward to laughing and sharing “Dave stories” which are really “Yay God!” stories. Once again, we will “Taste and see that God is good.”
Thanks for this. I needed it. My friend, Krystal, died almost a year ago and I’ve been thinking about her a lot and missing her.
Thank you for this beautiful post, Laura. May your family’s mourning turn to dancing and may you feel Him right there, hands up and twirling, right beside you!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Lara. Grief can sneak up on you at unexpected moments, or show up “on schedule” on those anniversaries, right?
Memory eternal. This is one of my favorite Orthodox hymns from Great Lent:
Sorry I just saw this today! Thank you Katie!