Reduced Down, Raised Up.

 My mom and dad have both passed away. Mom almost two years ago, dad ten years ago. Upon reflecting recently about their lives, they both had a way about them. They say that opposites attract. Well it makes perfect sense on why my mom and dad got divorced. They had very similar personalities. They both liked to laugh and have a good time. They were loved by everyone that knew them, except themselves.

They both were full of life. My dad loved to play pranks and joke around with people to get a laugh. My mom just loved having a good time and laughing with whom ever was around.

Then in 2011 my dad got sick. In and out of the hospital until one day he didn't come home. He went home to be with Jesus. His final years of his life, he lived in a veterans home. A very small bedroom with very few personal items. When he passed, my brother and I went to the home to pick up a picture of him to use for his obituary. When I entered his room, I noticed for the first time how small it was. I thought about how he lived prior to that. He lived in a double wide with nice furniture and things. In the room I noticed that he had been reduced down to a picture on the wall, and a few things sitting on his dresser. Then from that room he was reduced to the size of a coffin. And finally reduced to a six foot hole in the ground.

2019 my mom got sick. The same as my dad, she was in out of the hospital for a few months until we got the call one night that she thought that she was coming to the end. She passed away close to eight hours after receiving that call. Being with her those last few hours, I looked around at the hospital room and it seemed quite cold. Except for family being around her, that was the closest thing that she had that resembled home. At home she pictures of everyone on her fridge. Grandkids, kids, family, friends. If you meant something to her, you were on the fridge. Just like my dad. I noticed how she had been reduced down to this hospital room. Then when she passed, she to was put into a coffin. Then after service were finished, she was reduced even further to an urn. Then finally to a small hole in the ground when she was finally buried.

I think back on both of my parents. So full of life. Their minds were still intact, their bodies just gave out. Their race had finished. God called them home to him!

1 Corinthians 15:53 New Living Translation

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

Now and for eternity, they will never again experience pain, suffering, tears, disease. They are made whole by Jesus. How do I know this you may ask. I know that both my mom and dad were saved in their later years. I know that they are in heaven. I will see them again.

So for my dad who had been reduced down to a six foot hole and my mom an urn and probably a three foot hole, they have been raised up to live in eternity with Jesus. Their humble little earthly homes have now become Heavenly homes.

John 14:2-3 The Passion Translation

2 My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself so that you will be where I am.

I cannot wait till that day!

God bless.

Neither one lived an exorbitant life. They both worked and lived in small humble homes. My dad lived in a double wide and my mom in a two bedroom house.