While I've done a lot this week, I find myself with limited time with all to share it now; and yet there's only one real big thought I feel inclined to share this week. Saturday, we celebrated my mother's birthday, and the celebration was... different... than you'd expect for a celebration of life. Frankly it was odd in many a way. For one thing, it was a surprise party- but in the opposite sense- as in, the guests were the ones more surprised than she. But stranger yet, she chose to host the even in the nearby cemetery (with approval). The event ended up being, partly, an announcement that she had planned ahead and reserved some plots. But, still, she seemed to enjoy her birthday celebration, and seemed happy.
I'm a fairly odd person, if for no other reason, than for my perspective on life and death. Most hold the concept of death as the greatest evil that can befall a person, and a deep trench of unknowable fear. I'd be a liar if I said I don't have my own apprehensions and fears, myself, but for the most part, I see and understand it as a natural part of progression in a much larger eternal picture. Should it be sought out? No, we are all here for a wiser purpose than that. All the same, I think it interesting that prior to the events described in the previous paragraph, I dreamed a dream that morning.
In this dream, I do not recall the circumstances, or reasons, but I and my family stood in the family room, and saw Satan walking by. You'd think such a thing would be a huge, big deal, and yet it was weirdly plain and ordinary, in a sense. The most amusing thing about it, to me, was that when you looked upon him, he seemed like a harmless, small, sad, old man- in fact, you almost felt sorry for him more than anything else. But as he walked past, it appeared this was his last goodbye. I suppose this was made known when my mother (I think it was her) quoted some scripture, probably from the book of Revelations, saying something to the effect of (and of course, in a more biblical phrasing than my simple translation of it), that "after he departs for the last time, there will be no more sadness or harm".
I don't know I understand the full meaning of the dream- if a full meaning is even meant to be gleamed from it. But I am reminded of a beautiful song that better states my feelings on all of these things. Here it is, written by Chris Tomlin:
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb
And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise, I will rise
Now, I don't know for sure whether my favorite version is his original rendition, or Alex Boyé's, but either way- just a great song! If you are reading this and aren't of a Christian faith, that's okay! If nothing else, listening to this song is enough to install hope in anyone. It always reminds me that even as I live, and continually make mistakes- some little, some big- that I have the chance every hour of every day to rise.
Personally, I highly look forward to a day when I know there truly will be no more sorrow, and no more pain. Whoever reads this, I may not know you at all, but I hope that in that day, we get the chance to meet together, sing together, and laugh together. And although I know it's not the end of my mistakes, if ever I've wronged you, reader of this entry, I hope you'll find it somewhere deep within you to forgive a foolish traveler on a journey to become a better person.
Until next week, let this little more hope light your way.