Waves

Psalm 42 best describes the state I found myself in yesterday.
6 My soul is downcast within me… 7… all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

Waves of grief overwhelmed me as I assessed the loss of one who was a partner in the pursuit of holiness and parenting and meal preparation and bill filing.

Waves so deep, I could not get my breath. I took my sisters’ advice and got into my “life-boat” or the “Arc” as I call it, that I built before the rains began. I wrote out and meditated on these verses which help define a New Testament theology of suffering. The result has been a return of buoyancy produced by hope and joy that has eluded me since the funeral.

Rom 5
3 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

2Co 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Ro 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1Pet 1
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Ac 14:22 We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.

Suffering produces satisfying, present-tense hope. It achieves a shining eternal joy more significant than any loss. It proves our faith as genuine and is part of the process by which we receive our salvation from the eternal hell we deserve. Suffering is the only route by which one may enter that land where we will reign with God.

Ps 32:8 NLT
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.”

Understanding

The circumference of our faith must always be greater than that of our understanding and I think it will be for all eternity.

Pr 20:24 NIV
A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

We will never know enough that we will lose the joy of exploring and learning.
We will never know enough that we will gain control.

Ecc 6:10 NLT
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.

Ac 17:26 NIV
From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

God is Sovereign wise and good and this is our faith…
Ro 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

In Hope

I went down to the river to pray Saturday, specifically to ask the question my heart had been repeating over and over. I told God that I was not angry, but I could not stop my heart from asking, “Why?” And so I asked. And asked. I was so loud that the geese were startled from their resting places. Up stream and down, the birds swam to the middle of the river looking around nervously with questions of their own. Two words came to mind: “In hope”.

Romans 8:20-21 The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it * in hope* that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

The frustration of all the plans Theresa and I had made…
Psalm 33:10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
Proverb 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

…plans to raise children, to do short term missions, to do rretirement-ministry in an orphanage somewhere, to put hardwood in the living room…

All the plans of all who dwell on earth are frustrated in hope. Our God hopes. God who is sovereign, good and wise, hopes for something: Glorious freedom for all.

Consider what you and the geese and the trees have in common. Know that God uses death and decay to point you beyond it, to a place, a person you cannot escape, even through death. You will meet the one who planned all of this. Is this your real hope? Are you ready? He hopes you will be.

Pictures for Tee

I hope that many of you will be able to bring your children to the funeral tomorrow. And I know that some of the kids have been drawing and painting pictures or perhaps even writing notes. There will be a photograph of Theresa at the front of the church on the communion table and if any of the children want to remember her with something they have drawn or painted or written, there will be room to leave it there.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
I am looking forward to coming home to my church family.
See you soon.
A.

Pictures for Tee

Interment and Memorial

FLATT, Theresa (nee McDonald) 1964-2010

Theresa Mary Flatt went home to be with her beloved Saviour Jesus Christ on October 21ST, 2010 in Brantford, ON after a year long battle with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 46. She will be sadly missed by husband Andy and children Josiah, Katy, and Alex, as well as her father Craig McDonald of Burlington/Thunder Bay, ON; sisters Jean (Richard) Pendziwol of Thunder Bay, ON; Barbara Mitchell of Redcliff, AB and a much loved family of brothers- and sisters-in-law as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Theresa was predeceased by her loving mother Sue McDonald, father-in-law Rupert Flatt, and grandparents Irvin and Evelyn Obergh, and Hugh and Erna McDonald.

Theresa grew up in Thunder Bay attending St Vincent’s, St Patrick’s and Sir Winston Churchill Schools, graduating in 1984. She loved to spend summers sailing on Lake Superior and spent 14 months cruising to the Bahamas and back with her family on their boat in 1981/82. She also loved to play piano and earned her A. Mus. Paed. from the University of Western Ontario. She and Andy married in 1986 and have served the lord together for over 20 years, most significantly at Westfort Baptist Church in Thunder Bay, and the past 11 years at Brant Community Church in Brantford. Theresa enjoyed leading worship and playing the keys as part of the praise team. She was also an active participant in women’s ministries and retreats.

Theresa’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Community Care Access Centre, Aberdeen, and the Stedman Hospice for their exceptional compassion and care during Theresa’s last few weeks. In Theresa’s memory, the family has requested no flowers, but donations to the Brant Community Church building fund or Ovarian Cancer Canada would be gratefully appreciated.

Interment will be at Oakhill Cemetery in Brantford on Monday October 25th at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by a memorial service at Brant Community Church at 69 Superior St. at 3:30 p.m.

Farewell Theresa

Isaiah 57: 1 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. 2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.

Oct 21, 2010 9:50 p.m. Theresa died tonight. She was aware and peaceful right up to the end. We got to spend her last few moments together as she passed from this life into the next.
God was merciful and took her home.
She is safe now.
Thank-you Father.