Drawing a line

It seems fitting that today, the first anniversary of Sue's home-call, I should draw a line under the blog and close it. It was useful as a means of broadcasting how we were, and testifying to the Lord's faithfulness; and there is a sense in which we could go on doing that at least - because He IS faithful, always has been and always will be. In that sense, it is good to mark the occasion today for that reason, because we have got through the first year with His help.

Today will be a quiet day for us, the four of us at home together; a day of memories, a day of sadness in one way, and yet a day of thankfulness for all the many blessings of the years we enjoyed together. Truly we have much to praise the Lord for.

Indeed, as someone said to me yesterday, is it wrong to think of today - in a way at least - as her first "birthday" in glory? For we believe that she is (as it says on her stone, and as the Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth that he was willing to be) "absent from the body .. present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:8).

Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: Whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
…
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:12-23, 50-57

What a blessing to "have hope in Christ", and the salvation offered by grace through faith in Him alone, and to know that one day we shall see Him (and Sue) again.