Written, Tuesday, November 14, 2023
In honor and memory of my parents, Jonathan and Brenda Stitzel.
Jonathan Edwards Stitzel – July 25, 1953-August 16, 2022
Brenda Ann Stitzel – July 16, 1951-November 14, 2022

The tears flow today
Fed by memories cascade.

How many days this past year
Has your absence been felt?

How many days to come
Will it be noticed?

The days may well be short
When one exists in eternity.

But the days here, inside time
Feel like an eternity.

My heart rejoices, though
Even while it weeps.

My soul worships
Even while it grieves.

Death and separation
Are not part of Your nature, Abba.

They ARE part of Your plan, though
An evil by product of what must be.

But it grieves You FAR more
Than it does me.

But death’s days are numbered
Death’s end IS coming.

And for this, I celebrate.
I dance and shout with anticipation.

Soon, the sorrow of death
Will be a distant memory.

Soon, the long days of grieving
Will be converted into eternal joy.

Soon, the tears shed in sorrow
Will be renewed into tears of wonder.

Abba, my tears of sorrow
Are not lost with You.

You collect each one
You will redeem each one.

No tear, no sorrow will lack purpose.
No tear, no sorrow will lack meaning.

Each one is kept in Your care.
The tenderness of Your love protecting it.

Until You bring all things
To their full and intended end.

This sorrow of loss and separation
Will be forever wiped away.

No, Abba…
No tear is lost…
No sorrow is wasted…
No struggle is meaningless…
No trial is pointless…
No suffering intended for evil…
No pain meant for harm…
No, Abba, No.

One day, You will reveal
The tapestry You have been weaving
The portrait You have been painting.

The joys and sorrows bleeding together
Into one final, glorious, beautiful picture
That exposes Your glory MOST FULLY
For the eternal delight of my soul to partake in

So…
Tears come.
Flow freely.
Flow fully.
I can’t wait to see the picture
My Abba, Father is creating!