grief |ɡrēf| noun deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death: she was overcome with grief.

As many of you know, I lost my father last week. The last few months of watching his health fail were some of the most difficult moments for our family. There really are no words to express grief, or the emotions you feel when you lose someone you love. It was an honor to be with my dad on his last day on earth, and it was an honor to celebrate his life with our friends and family.

My dad was a very humble man. He was simple and kind, and had the best sense of humor. I remember him as being forgiving, patient, and a very hard worker. He spent most of his time out on his ranch. His obsession with the ranch life was like nothing you’ve ever seen before—hunting, fishing, shooting clays, riding on 4-wheelers, tractors, feeding his animals, and riding horses.  

After he passed, I looked through the pictures on his phone and laughed when I noticed there were only 4 pictures of humans (and two of the four were from my wedding). All the others were pictures of trees, nature, mountains, land, plants, animals, deer blinds, and one tractor. If he wasn’t at the ranch or working, he was watching Shark Tank and giving his two cents on how he would handle each deal. He also discovered YouTube this past year, and quickly became addicted. *grin*

When I was young, my dad would pick me up after school every day—up until the point when I decided I really wanted to ride the bus, but only until my friend was dropped off… So, my dad would follow the school bus every afternoon, in his little green pick-up, truck with my brother, Chris. They would follow right behind us, until my friend and I were dropped off at her stop. I would then skip to the back of the bus and climb into my dad’s truck, where my he would have an after school snack ready for me. It would usually be Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, or Red Line (anybody remember Red Line?). Many times, he would get me two of the three options—just in case. My brother’s first words were, “Bina Bus,” and my dad called me that ever since.

I love my dad so much. My heart is broken and I am beyond feeling sad. I know it’s normal and that it’s human nature to be sad in occasions like these. I know I will be sad for some time, and I know I will grieve. But I also know it will never be the same.

In times like these, and in seasons of loss, I am so grateful for the strength of God to lean on. He will hold me up. He will bear the weight. I have not lost my father. He has just moved. He is not gone. He has just crossed over to a better life.

As I was reading through Ephesians and Philippians this month for our Equipped by Faith Bible Reading Plan, I began to notice how often Paul referred to God as “Father.” God promises that He will give us beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). I am so grateful that God has given me a Spiritual Father, an amazing family, and many friends who speak life into me. I know I am not in this world alone.

This season is a difficult one, but it is also a season of gratitude and appreciation. God has a plan to meet every need and restore our faith and our joy. I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that God is in control of all things. From this day on, I will fight harder because I know His spirit lives in me. I know there is nothing I could have ever do that could have caused my father to love me any less…and I know that is exactly how God loves each of us.

God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children and it is kept in heaven. This world is not our home. We look forward to our city in heaven, our new home where we will have new bodies. There will be land, animals, trees, many rooms, and God alone will be the temple we worship in. There will be 12 walls consisting of 12 pearls, the city will be made of pure gold, like a sea of clear glass. The walls will be made of jasper and adorned with every type of precious stone. Heaven is a real place, it is where God lives, and it was designed for us to share with Him.

None of us know how much time we have to live, but what we do know is that He promises to wipe every tear from our eyes. Our hope is in heaven, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain—for the old things will pass away. God loves us and has the power to keep hope alive in us, and to strengthen our faith! Our part is to make the most of our time, here and now, just like my daddy did.

In his honor, let’s strive to be more selfless and kind, more giving, more loving, and more accepting. More like Jesus. My dad was a fighter, and I will always remember Him that way. I would like to believe my siblings and I inherited the humble strength of my father. And until we are reunited in heaven, the spirit of God and the legacy of my earthly father will continue to live through me!

I am praying for all who are grieving any loss today. From the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, the Holy Spirit will comfort us, strengthen us, heal us, and fortify us with all His might, diligence, and long-suffering. The glory of the Lord is upon us. This is why we have the Holy Spirit—to give us peace in times like these. This is why He filled us—to strengthen us in moments like this. We will receive God’s power and He will be glorified, in the name of Jesus.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time. We are so grateful for the friends who have reached out with cards, gifts, letters, and words of encouragement. Thank you—from the bottom of our hearts.

XO-
Sabrina  

P.S. Time is something I do not take for granted. It is the most precious thing we have. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. You can get a lot of things back—but time is not one of them. This is a poem I shared at my father’s funeral. It has always inspired and motivated me, and I pray it encourages you today.

 

The Dash  

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her casket from beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; Are there things you would like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we have never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?