Finally, A Blog Post....

I haven’t made a blog post in quite awhile because I’ve been doing some prayerful and careful consideration for how I wanted to make my next post. Most of you reading this definitely know that little Cora McClenahan is now with Jesus. Cora passed away early in the morning on Sunday, February 8, 2009. The “Celebration of Cora’s Life” was held today at our church. A memorial has been established to construct the “Cora Playground” – an extension of the children’s ministries at Grace Community Church. If you’d like to contribute to this memorial, please visit the “Cora Paige” link on the left side of this page.

Yesterday, I had a very meaningful conversation with a Christian woman (whom I definitely call a friend) who is a great person to talk to about God (Thanks Cathy). She always has great insight into what God has taught her over the years. Like all of you reading this, I’m trying to grasp why God answered our prayers in the way He did. These are not her original words, but she quoted me something that she has written in her Bible. “I know beyond a doubt that God is too wise to make a mistake, and too loving to be unkind.” God did ultimately answer our prayers. Cora’s cancer is gone. It’s healed. She’s free from it. However, He did not heal her cancer by keeping her on earth with us. So now, her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends are not only left to mourn her loss BUT also to celebrate her life.

“But my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. So, it is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11

According to those verses, only God has the reason why He took Cora’s earthly life from all of us. I can’t answer why Cora is no longer with us here.

I’ve been listening to some CDs of praise choruses A LOT in the last few days. These CDs contain a collection of choruses that Joel and Jess played for Cora while she was in the hospital. They were put together by Adam, our worship pastor at church. My new favorite praise song is “Mighty to Save.” Today, at the Celebration for Cora’s life, we sang, as a body, three different praise choruses. I’m told that Joel and Jess requested this music because Cora really enjoyed music. I was so very pleased that we sang this song. It’s a GREAT reminder that God is God. He can move mountains. His Son conquered the grave. He conquered the grave so that we all could be forgiven for our sins we commit.

Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Chorus
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

(Chorus Again)

Bridge
Shine Your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory
Of the Risen King
Jesus

Wow! What wonderful lyrics!!!!!

When I was a child, I, many times said, “That’s not fair” – probably mostly referring to something my brother got that I didn’t. My dad used to respond, “Nope, life’s not fair.” I failed to fully realize until adulthood that life’s not fair because we live in a very fallen world. Sin is everywhere. We’re born that way. Sin goes way back to Adam and Eve. So no, life’s not fair, but God is just. We still must trust God that He knows what he’s doing – even in this situation.

Joel and Jess – if you’re reading this – we know you’re deeply grieving the loss of Cora, your daughter. Your family is also grieving this great loss. Please know that we, your brothers and sisters in Christ, are also grieving with you. You are definitely not alone.

Isn’t it fantastic to know that we all can see Cora once again someday if we have Jesus in our hearts? We’ve already told Luke that even though he’s too young to remember Cora, he too can meet her in heaven someday. He just needs to choose Jesus when he’s older and understands that.

Like Joel and Jess as parents, we, as parents, are also praying that Luke follows Jesus someday. What a lonely life it would be to not have Jesus in our hearts.