Red Lip Society

This time of year is one of my favorites!  I love the change in the temperature and the time change.  I like college football in the South and the changing leaves.  Don’t get me started on the clothes!  Sign me up for all the coziness!!

Some of my favorite childhood memories are from this time of year.  I guess that is why I cried on the way to work this morning,

When I think of the upcoming autumn season, I see my parents curled up in their chairs in the living room watching football.  I see Dad in the kitchen cooking his famous chili or the vegetable soup that I wouldn’t eat.

These memories take me to ones me and Dad decorating the outside of the house for Halloween….and those memories take me to ones of he and I decorating outside for Christmas.  We always did that together when I was little.

It’s amazing how some falling leaves in the rain and some below 80 degrees temperatures can trigger so many memories during a 20-minute drive.

Dad has been gone for a year and a half now.  Losing him was the hardest moment of my life.  It was hard because it was devastating and comforting all at the same time.

He was in the hospital for a week before he passed away.  Sometimes the room was silent except for the sound of his breathing.  I just couldn’t stand that!  So I did the only thing I knew to do.  I went to the only place that I truly find comfort.

I read the Bible.  I read it out loud.  The whole book of John.

If it started getting quiet in the room, I would open my Bible and read.  After about three or four days, my mom smiled at me and asked, “Scarlett, honey, are you doing that for him or for you?”

I just sat there a second before answering, “Both,” and then I continued reading.

You see, I figured my Dad could hear us and I didn’t want him to hear silence and think that we were not there.   I wanted him to hear something good.  So I read the Bible. It is the only thing that is truly good.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

And as for me…..well, the Bible comforts me.

This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. Psalms 119:50

Through every trial, it has only been in the presence of the Lord that I have found comfort.  I sat next to that hospital bed with my hand on my sister’s back, watching as she held Dad’s left hand and my mom held his right hand, as he was taking his last breaths, and I found comfort by merely whispering, “Father,” (as in, my heavenly Father.)  I felt peace wash over me….. like a warm hug all around me…..and then Dad was gone.  Just quietly gone.

I know I have probably depressed you a little bit if you have read this far.  That is not my intention.

You see I may have started crying on the way to work this morning because I missed my Daddy, but I continued to cry because I was so thankful that God had taken the most awful moment of my life and used it to show me more of His true character.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  Psalm 147:3

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.   Matthew 5:4

I cried because I was thankful that I had this moment in my life as an example to tell someone about God and how he cares about them.  I was thankful that I could take my own experience and tell someone that the Word will bring them comfort.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I was thankful that in this moment of heartache I was able to sit with my family and watch as my father left this world and entered the presence of The Father.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.                2 Corinthians 5:6-8

I can easily see how people become swallowed up in grief.  I wanted too.  It would have been easy to do.  However, how could I be if I truly believe what I say I believe?

I believe in life after death. I believe that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead in three days, having fought the devil and taking back the keys to death, hell, and the grave.  I believe that if I confess Him as Lord of my life and ask Him to forgive me of my sins and then live my life for Him, that when I draw my last breath on earth I will draw my first one in Heaven.  I believe that I will see my loved ones that accepted Jesus as their savior when I get to Heaven.  How could I wallow in my grief if I TRULY believe that?

The answer for me?  I couldn’t.  And yes, even on days like today when I cried on the way to work thinking about how much I miss my daddy, I have to remind myself of these things that I believe.  It is only then that I am comforted in my new normal.

I am so thankful that God chose my parents to be my parents, but I am so SO glad that He sent His only son to die a terrible death on an old rugged cross just so that he could restore a personal relationship with me…..and with you if you want one.

The day, my mom called and said Dad was in the hospital, I got in my car to drive to the hospital and the below song came on the radio.  Every time I got in the car that very long week this song was playing.  It helped me get through.  If you are going through one of those inevitable moments in this crazy journey of life, I hope this song speaks to you like it did to me and helps to get you through too.