“Here are his belongings,”the gentleman said and handed me a bag. I walked into the hospital with a husband that day and walked out a widow with just a bag of his belongings. I opened the bag to see his phone, the watch he wore every day, his wallet, law enforcement badge, and his wedding ring. Looking down at that bag I couldn’t believe he was gone, everything in my hand were the things he didn’t leave the house without, yet here I was with his possessions in my hand and the permanency of death lingering over me. The reality hit full force again when I saw the text I had sent him that morning from “wifey” (with a heart emogy) unread on his phone and realized there was no where I could go to find him and no where I could reach him by phone. The very man who always held me when I was crying was no where to help shoulder the pain, all that was left physcially was a little tiny bag of his earthly belongings..
Going back to our home I could see his things everywhere, signs of a life that was no longer living. The tears flowed as I saw everything from that September morning…. his deodorant on the counter, his toothbrush, his pillow that smelled like him. Everything that encompassed his earthly life was here. The love note I wrote him was on the desk, and from there you could look into our closet with his favorite clothes hanging and his large shoes (he was every bit of tall and handsome at 6’5). When he was ushered into eternity he took no thing with him, the only thing he took was his soul and the byproducts of his faithfulness to the Lord.
One day more people will join Patrick in heaven as a result of his intentionality on earth, the many people he impacted with his purposeful life, not his possessions. This was just such an amazing example and picture of what scripture teaches so plainly.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-20
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
The things that will outlast my husband are what He did for Christ, not his watch, his shoes or his iphone….what was unseen, eternal and lasting. Over time and decades his personal items will decay but the Word of God that he preached and lived will outlive any earthly thing.
May this hard reality spur us all on in our pursuit of Jesus and our desire to live on this earth with eternal riches.
So how are you spending your time, treasures, and talents? Are you investing in things that last or temporal things? Are you taking the time to seek the things above and not the things of this world? Are you living in light of eternity for what truly lasts? I pray that when the Lord comes to get me or when I die that I am not found guilty of laying up my treasures here on earth but that I was a diligent servant of Christ Jesus working to store up treasures in heaven.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I Am Cassie’s mom and we’ve been praying for you all ! I pray the boys are well and that you find great comfort in them! It’s still almost unbelievable to hear about -especially when seeing him 2 days prior and he was having such fun at Cadsie and Elijah’s wedding then gone so fast !! It just proves Gods word is true….. A twinkling of an eye ! Rest in the comfort only the Savior can give. That deep loving comfort that says ‘I am here for you precious one. I have not forsaken you I but hold you closer in the palm of my hand closer to my heart! Rest in Jesus today as tomorrow will take care of itself !!! If there are anymore specific prayer requests please let me know as things will come up especially with the kids as they grow and question more. But know you’re covered in prayers. I hope that while writing this blog that Jesus is healing the broken pieces of your heart. You certainly bless me with this blog you’re an amazing young woman I’m so thankful for all the special people Jesus has blessed Cassie with for her to reach out and call her friend! Don’t forget you’re not walking this alone! And while Jesus is enough as He is plentiful he gives us friends on those days we need that earthly hug or a shoulder to cry on. Let those who love you as a daughter a friend an aunt or just a church member and so on let them give you the embraced and love they feel for your family. Lean on them let them help support you and encourage you. Because this is hard…. Right?… Jesus never said you’re expected to walk this journey alone so let them help too. It helps all start to heal our hearts that hurt for you and your children! Again thank you. You bless my heart. Praise God you’re a believer I can’t imagine how people walk these low times in life when we’re in the valleys wouthoiut the loving support and comfort on Jesus !! I pray you have a wonderful special Mothrrs Day with your family!! Try and have a great weekend!
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You are just so precious! I just love your daughter and your family! Thank you so much for your encouraging words! So grateful!
Perfectly written. Thank you Brittany
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Thank you so much Lynette! Love you and grateful for you!
Brittany you could not have painted a more clearer picture of life here on earth and eternity. From a distance I watched you hold onto Jesus your rock and salvation. I’ve also had the honor and privledge of having your brother Tim lead our worship at The Journey Church for 2 1/2 years and his faith is like yours an anchor for his soul. Blessings to you and your wonderful family. Pastor Darryl
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Thank you so much Pastor Darryl! We love you and your precious family and are so grateful for your faithful prayers, encouragement and support for us! We love the Journey Family!
Brittany
Thank you for sharing your journey. The Lord has allowed you to help us focus on what is truly of value. What a timely message for a world that has so lost it focus on the reality of eternity. Jesus focuses so much on the kingdom of heaven as a very real kingdom. I look forward to being with the Lord Jesus for all of eternity. Come Lord Jesus Come.
Thank you so much! Love you and your precious family! I agree Come Lord Jesus!!
Thank you for your words of comfort. My daughter Christina Semeria was one of the 4 UGA students that our Father called home on April 27th. She loved and lived a life for Him in incredible amazing ways that the whole world is seeing on full display…today my heart is crushed and I just want to hold her again. The pain is so raw, but I’m keeping my eyes above the waves and trusting, believing and witnessing a Good Good Father. Keep me and my family in your prayers and I’m praying for you.
Cathy, oh how my heart aches and hurts with you! I am so sorry for the pain and sorrow. Just lifted your sweet family up in prayer. So grateful you know Jesus the Glory and the Lifter of our heads, even when we feel like we are drowning under the waves of grief He lifts us up so we don’t sink. You are loved and prayed for! Thank you for taking the time to write me!
Your faith is beautifully inspiring! May God continue to give you a peace that passes all understanding and may Patrick’s light continue to shine through you and your boys.
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement!
Wow! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Mandy for reading 🙂
You know, you are a courageous woman!!! You have turned the bad into the good and I am very honored to just “come across” your story! You give me hope and encouragement to have that relationship with God that I want and need. Thank you so much for sharing your sorrows and your story!
Thank you so much for your sweet words Jennifer! I am so thankful for your kindness! What a blessing you are!