Much Too Small a Casket

Our pastor said just what I was thinking today during the funeral for this precious 4 year old boy, Caden Ledbetter, who's family goes to church with us and we've had the opportunity of watching battle so well over the past two years, as Caden endured the ravages of a rare cancer-neuroblastoma. "This is much too small a casket. We all know this is not how it is supposed to be." A tiny casket, covered with teddy bears and sports jerseys. The flowers on either side had a Rangers cap hung in one and a bouquet of little boy themed balloons tied to the other. His collection of "The Hulk" figures sat on a table beside it.

As we celebrated Caden's life (who was just 3 months older than Miss Liza Jane) and thanked God for taking away his pain and giving him a new, perfect body and although we know he is now free and with our Savior, the pain his family is experiencing right now is excruciating. This life is fractured. God did not create things to end like this. Death was not supposed to be part of it. It can be easy when things are going well and life is easy to believe the lie that things are good here. I am very guilty of this. (Of course there are joy-filled seasons of life, but even that is simple an undeserved gift of our Father to show us a glimpse of how wonderful things are going to be.) Unfortunately, the Fall happened, and sin and death entered the world, so now we wait in anticipation of what is to come (And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23). Waiting for the day when He returns and reigns on the earth, taking away all pain, sorrow, weeping, mourning and death! I feel this week I've longed for the second coming more than ever since my salvation 12 years ago. Life is hard, and if this was it, quite honestly, I wouldn't want any part of it, but thankfully, we do not mourn as those without hope. We have the promise of eternal life through Christ Jesus to those who believe. Oh, how needy we are for Him.

So also you have sorrow now, but I (Jesus) will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22