Psalm 139:16: “Before I formed you in the womb, your days were numbered.”
Luke 2:49: And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Joel, my husband died on September 6, 2010. We had two services for him. One in Nashville, Tennessee and one in Wooster, Ohio.
The service in Nashville was a celebration. It was September 9th. We laughed and cried and worshipped the Lord for the time that we shared Joel’s life. Everyone who was there, well over 400 people, said they would never be the same because of the service and the impact Joel had on their lives. I believe that several people gave their lives to Jesus for the first time and several renewed their commitment to Jesus because of Joel’s influence.
Joel’s parents asked for us to have a service in Ohio on October 9th, since some of their family could not come to Tennessee. Because of a word God had given to me in four weeks after Joel died, I wanted to share at this service, and I did so. And I want to share that word from God with you as well.
I was getting ready for work, and Psalm 139:16 came to my mind. I really don’t remember ever reading the scripture before, but at some point during that week, I had seen or heard it. It says, “Before I formed you in the womb, your days were numbered.” In a matter of just a few seconds, God said to me that Joel’s days were 49 years and 3 weeks, and my days were still continuing. God said He still had a plan for Nate and for me, and it was up to us to die with Joel or to live an abundant life. In that moment, I had a choice. And as I always have done, I chose life! The most incredible peace entered my heart and soul like I have not known to that point, and I have had peace about Joel’s passing ever since!
Because I have always believed that happiness is a choice, I decided at that moment that I would choose to live and I would choose to live with joy! Why in the world would someone want to join the ranks of Christianity without seeing joy in us as Christians? Of course, we have problems and issues, but we always have the choice to have joy in our hearts.
And, what are we doing with the days we have left? Isn’t it time for us to be about our Father’s business and to share the joy that He gives?
Thank you, Pat. I loved reading this.