I listened to a song this morning that brought comfort. The song is entitled Never Saw Blue by Hayley Westenra (you can listen here if you like Never Saw Blue).The concept caused me to wonder if this might be my brother-in-law's response when he crossed into eternity this past week.  My sister called with the news of his death, and the response for our family was like a black ribbon of sorrow that spooled through our lives.  This was a man greatly loved and cherished by my sister, a man who deeply loved my sister in return.  A man who loved his daughter.  A man who loved God.  When I heard the song, I wondered if perhaps this lovely man may have had a similar encounter when he entered the heavenly realm, a blue so pure that he felt awestruck.  Blue in spiritual symbolism represents grace.  Perhaps the vivid color and extravagant concept melded to create an overwhelming feeling of love and peace, his Kingdom inheritance. 

Meanwhile we grieve his absence this side of heaven.  We weep.

While I have the assurance that I will see my brother-in-law again, I feel the piercing claws of death.  I hate the separation.

I sensed God led me to the book of I Peter.  In The Passion Translation, the preface states that I Peter "is the book of strengthening grace and triumphant hope." 

Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you (5:7). 

And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in His eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, He will set you firmly in place and build you up. And He has all the power needed to do this--forever! (5:10-11).

This afternoon the sky outside my window burns blue, assuaging the feelings of loss, God assuring me to stand fast in His mercy.