Remembering

It is Monday, and I am remembering that Monday five years ago. It was a wonderful day, beautiful and snappy cool. I took off work so that I could go with Fouad to a new cardiologist. His early morning appointment was in the Methodist Hospital in Sugarland. The doctor examined his list of medications and advised him to be very careful concerning injuries as he was taking a lot of blood thinning medication. We made an appointment to return on Thursday for more tests. We stopped by the Sugarland Mall to do a little Christmas shopping. Lunch was at Olive Garden. Fouad ordered lasagna and said that theirs was not as good as mine. We had an appointment with the realtor to sign the papers to buy the house in Heritage Grand, the retirement community. We finished in time to make it to Betty Strauss’ retirement party. Joe Adams was there, which really pleased Fouad. Joe and Fouad really enjoy each other’s company.


That day was God’s gift to me before my world came apart. Fouad fell on Tuesday afternoon and died on Wednesday—too much bleeding. My heart still aches to remember and I cannot forget. The best I can do is temporarily suppress. Has God been with me to comfort me? The answer is definitely yes. I am comforted in the midst of the pain, but I still grieve. Paul wanted to “know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering.” (Philippians 3:10) Now I understand suffering. This yearning I have in my heart for what I have lost makes me contemplate the yearning and suffering God must have for the ones who are lost to Him. The greater the love, the greater the suffering when the love is lost. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Christ died for me. Can there be a greater love? What must I do in response? First, I must stay in loving relationship to Him, and second I must be about the business of reconciling the lost ones to Him.