I'm not sure "beautiful" or "perfect" are exactly the "right" words to use, yet they are the ones that come to mind with these pictures. The setting IS beautiful. I remember clearly the morning I went to the cemetery to pick out a "final resting place" for Rick. On the way there, I prayed for a tree. Yep, a tree. But, I KNEW there couldn't be a tree because the spots available are in the "new" part of the cemetery. New meaning just recently developed. New meaning pretty, very well manicured grass with some small hills, but no trees. For some reason, a tree was really important to me. A tree represented the woods - a place Rick LOVED to be. A place he always said he felt the closest to God. A place he spent much time IN (he bow-hunted from a tree stand!). Imagine my surprise (WHY when God "shows up" are we surprised?) when I pulled in to the cemetery and the sexton was there with a measuring tape, standing right next to, you guessed it, a beautiful, mature pine tree?! Even in the throes of my grieving, God was meeting even my little requests. Requests that seemed impossible to be answered. There was this spot that had been reserved as a walk-way, but would never be used as such, what did I think of this spot? What did I think of this spot, really, what did I think? It is at the base of a pine tree. The tree I prayed (with so little faith) for. There was a TREE, and not just any tree, an EVERGREEN . . . a tree that is always green, reminding us of our EVERLASTING life in Christ. Of Rick's everlasting life in Christ - a life he was just beginning to taste and see! Oh, yes, I told him, it's perfect, just perfect! GOD GAVE ME A TREE!! So, yes, this spot is beautiful, because along with being the "remembrance" place for Rick's earthly body, the spot represents yet another prayer God answered. Another reminder that His eye IS on the sparrow!
Today's reading in my Jesus Calling said:
"...you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive . . . rejoice in My abundance - living by faith, not by sight."
My sight, my human knowledge told me a tree wasn't possible. God whispered, "have faith, I have not left you nor forsaken you, lo, I am with you ALWAYS. I hear your desire for a tree. Have FAITH, rejoice in my abundance". And, today, we have a beautiful stone commemorating the place where Rick's earthly body awaits the Lord's return right there at the base of a pine tree. Yes, "rejoice in His ABUNDANCE - and live by faith, not by sight"!
We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
I know just what you mean, Sheila. The place where my husband's body rests is in a quiet corner of the cemetery. He loved the outdoors, too. I've seen wild turkey and deer walking around in that particular area. It always brings me such a sense of peace and tranquility whenever I visit.
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