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“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8:18-19 (NKJV)

Our hopes rested on an ambulance.

That hot morning in July 2016, all our hope rested on the arrival of an ambulance driven by trained EMS employees– no superheroes – no Marvel characters, just mere humans.

But there we were, counting the minutes, listening for the sirens. Living on the county line, it would take twenty-five minutes for help to arrive from either county.

Finally, we heard the sirens. All would be well. Help and our miracle had arrived.

There was no doubt in our minds what was happening.

Heart attacks ran in my husband’s family. The phrase “Widow Maker” had been heard so many times since I married Steve.

We would find out over the next few hours that once again a ‘Widow maker’ heart attack would take someone we loved so much from us.

And nothing would ever be the same again.

Many times, since that day in 2016, all I have been able to do is call the name of Jesus — seeking to find His strength and comfort. My prayers come from a place so deep within that it seems no words are found to speak what is in my heart — only a groaning in my spirit.

Have you ever found yourself calling out to the Lord from that place?

All creation – all nature groans.

What Does it Mean ‘The Whole of Creation Has Been Groaning Together’?

“All of creation has been groaning ever since the fall of mankind. Until the New Heavens and New Earth are created by God, all of creation will remain in the state of groaning together.” (Christianity.com)

I believe if you and I could sit together for just a while, we would understand completely what comes forth from great sorrow and sadness – with no words ever expressed.

All creation groans with us – but not just from the grief of our loss.

There is a groaning deep within us all – even all of creation, evidence of a great longing to be Home and made whole again.

“For we know that all creation has been groaning right up to the present time.”
Romans 8:22

If we were to say out loud, “I will never be whole again without my husband,” the world might judge us or silently think, “They must move on from this.”

But, there is a certain truth to that not being whole again until we are Home and with our Creator.

THEN — we will be completely WHOLE again!

There was a time I searched for answers in Steve’s homegoing. I have since laid down that need to find the reason. I have come to the place where I trust Jesus completely with my Steve.

Nothing could have changed God’s plan for Steve that morning. All of Heaven was on alert. Steve was going Home. I love to believe that all those who had gone Home before him, those he had missed just as he is being missed now, were gathered and waiting.

When the groanings of grief or just missing him wave over me, I work to remind myself of that wonderful moment in Heaven when STEVE BECAME WHOLE!

God has given us a wonderful and personal message for this very season…

…I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Not long ago, I came across a beautiful canvas painting. Because I love sunflowers, I bought it.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

If it takes planting a seed in a Dixie cup and putting it in our kitchen window…

Let’s plant a garden!

Our Heavenly Father, oh how we find ourselves groaning within, a deep longing to be Home. Help us to trust in Your Plan and Purpose for our lives, and Father God, give us the desire to plant a garden as we wait for You. Amen