TORN BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
Milton, here for Kristy:
Kristy had a good night's rest. She enjoyed Mother's Day with Julie and talked with Jennifer on the phone. God's presence is so strong and sweet around her in our bedroom and home.
Kristy wants to go to heaven. She deeply loves her family and can hardly bear the thought of leaving us, but her desires have turned toward heaven. In the last days, she has told us she has seen her mother and father who are in heaven and she wants to see Jesus.
Kristy's passion for living life with pizzazz, enthusiasm, and high energy is known by all who have met her. She loves people, loves helping people, and loves seeing them blessed. She told me weeks ago that if the Lord did not heal her that leaving us was a thought to hard to bear. She loves her "hero husband" as she has labeled me. She is thrilled and thankful for two adorable daughters and is just crazy about her grands.
Her dreams are yet many and her desire for life is so great.
This is hard for her and hard for us. She is torn between two worlds while yet resting in His strength and covered with His peace. It is a paradox.
When I prepared to preach sweet Esther Rampton's funeral last Friday, the Lord raised the curtain of Glory and Eternity just a bit for me to catch a greater view of this picture. I don't understand it all and I'm torn between two worlds too, but this clearer view has helped me. The "why" is not as unbearable. God is doing a greater work in us and others beyond our natural vision.
God is in charge here. He is at work. He will help us.
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 7:32 AM
25 comments
25 Comments:
Dear Pastor Milton,
You leave such beautiful love letters to your precious wife, Kristy. As do your daughters and other family members. Kristy is leaving behind a legacy of love. Love for her Lord and love for her family.
I understand what you mean by "torn between two worlds." And the Lord understands, too. In my mom's final days, one of the hospice nurses asked her a question, but Mom said, "Shh, I'm dancing with Jesus." She was wearing the sweetest, most peaceful smile.
The nurse told me, "You have no idea how many patients say the same exact words, that they're dancing with Jesus." What a lovely preview of what our real home will be like!
Yet there were other times Mom would say, "I wish I had more time here. I don't want to be selfish, but I'd love to see my grandkids get a little older..." That kind of thing. And we, as her family, struggled with this, too. We wanted her out of pain and in glory with the Lord, but we also wanted to keep her here just a little longer.
Our Sweet Jesus grieves with those who grieve. I know in my heart that He understands that we don't want to let go. Kristy is a 'salt of the earth person' who spreads joy wherever she goes.
We send our love and prayers.
Nancy
God bless each of you this day, as you deal with this paradox of feeling torn between two worlds. Your post today reminds me of a beautiful old hymn by Fannie Crosby:
'TIL THE BOAT COMES BY
In the house of many mansions,
With its portals bright and fair,
I am laying up my treasures,
And my heart will soon be there.
At the river that divides me
From my Father’s house on high,
I am waiting, I am watching,
Till the boat comes by.
I have seen it in the distance,
As it bent its snowy sail,
To the music of the waters,
And the whisper of the gale.
At the river that divides me
From my Father’s house on high,
I am waiting, I am watching,
Till the boat comes by.
In the house of many mansions,
Dwells my Savior and my King;
I shall see Him in His beauty,
And His praise my tongue shall sing.
Oh, that boat will soon be coming,
It will bear me home, I know,
To the house of many mansions,
And the friends of long ago.
At the river that divides me
From my Father’s house on high,
I am waiting, I am watching,
Till the boat comes by.
We grieve with you, and share your sentiments regarding death. My husband's father was 58 when he was called home. It was so hard to let him go, and yet we knew he would be free from suffering. I think the main reason it's hard to say goodbye is because of the deep personal loss that follows a loved one's death. It's the human response. We can't help it that we aren't ready to live without our loved one, and God understand our humanity.
Praying for peace and comfort.
Praise Jehovah-Shalom for giving you His peace, Milton. He's a merciful God Who loves His children to distraction!
Paul even said, "To live is Christ; to die is gain."
Desiring two places isn't strange, I think it's the Christian condition. Oue home isn't of this world, and like a vacation that has gone on too long, there comes a time you want to go home.
God prepares us and helps us through it. As I've said before, I prefer to think of it as birth instead of death.
Kristy is soon to be born into eternity!
I pray the Lord will continue to give those glimpses to you, Julie and Jennifer.
Milton, I loved the way Jannifer phrased that "you are only a breath behind her", when she enters Heaven's gates. Even still, none of this comes easily in our human nature. We all long to hold on to our loved ones as long as we possibly can. God understands our need, and our love.
The presence of the Lord is so evident in your home, just by your expressions. I can sense in my spirit the way it must feel as you enter your doors. "Peace, Peace, wonderful Peace coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love."
My thoughts and prayers are there with your family. May God show up and show out once again!
In His Love and Peace,
Cathy
As an AWSA sister to Kristy, I continue to pray for her and for the entire family. My love and prayers are with you.
Stacie Ruth
www.brightlightministry.com
Milton and Kristy
Kristy sent in a love story of yours that is in our book, Red Hot Monogamy. That story, this blog, Kristy's books, your family-- it all goes together as a Love light for God. In a world thst is so broken, where most people will never really know true amazing love, you and Kristy's love serves as a beacon of hope, a picture of God's love in a format people can grasp. Bill and I just want to tell you how much we admire you both. And we are keeping you all in our prayers.
If there is anything we can do from out here in CA, let us know.
Our mentor, Jim Conway, walked his precious life (also a writer) thru this same experieince, if you'd like to talk with Jim, we can connect you.
Pam and Bill Farrel
pam@farrelcommunications.com
As someone commented in an earlier blog post, there is a tension between wanting to be in this world and moving on to the next to be with Jesus. Good writing always has good transitions from one scene to the next, one setting to the next. Kristy is in the best transition that even she couldn't write. This is all God. His name is written on her heart, the Author and finisher of our faith!
Keeping you in my prayers and so grateful to the Lord for the beautiful witness you and Kristy are to SO many all over the world.
I get chills thinking of Kristy being so close to seeing Jesus. What a wonderful way to think of the end of earthly life.
God bless you for being able to put this into words for others.
Dear Milton and Kristy,
I have checked the blog several times today, and the comments have been just as uplifting as your message. What wonderful thoughts, songs and prayers. We all love you and are praying for you today. May God enfold you in His love and comfort today.
Love and Prayers from Carrie in NJ
In many ways I envy Kristy, so close to being with Jesus. Of course, I don't envy the process of getting there. When a friend of mine was getting ready to make the transition a few years ago, we would talk about how great it would be to be with Jesus, yet how none of us wants to experience the dying part. And like Kristy, I don't want to be parted early from my children and grands. Of course, there's no reason to think I will be called home early, but as believers, we will walk in this tension. As the Petra song "Road to Zion" says,
"But joy is not in where we've been
Joy is who's waiting at the end"
All - I'm still praying for you, although at this point in time Kristy may not want to turn back on her journey - she has had glimpses of what awaits her. As Milton says - it's a paradox.
Praying with you for God's perfect will and more peace than you can imagine. (Although your peace quota seems pretty filled)
Blessings
Sending love and hugs and prayers and blessings~
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who wanted to be in heaven, but wanted to stay on earth where he could minister to the saints. What a beautiful family you have. How blessed to be surrounded by such love and compassion. Thanks for sharing the journey and what you've learned with us.
love and prayers continue in seattle - shana :)
Sending hugs and prayers from San Antonio.
Praying for you all in this journey!
Take care
Nicky in Canada
What wonderful testimonies to the Christian walk you all are! Going through this difficult time but still able to share these thoughts with others is such a blessing...I'm sure you are touching so many lives. I will continue praying for the Lord's strength, comfort and peace for each of you. In Christ,
Patti Moore from
Georgia
Love & hugs from North Carolina
I feel so connected to both of you even tho we are miles apart. Thanks for the daily updates on Kristy.
The last time I saw Kristy was in August '07 at General Council..in the GPH exhibit where I bought her book. Of course, she was wearing her special color and looked so cute & petite & happy.
Our hearts & prayers are with all of you. To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord.
God's love & ours,
David & Kay Daniels
Here again to offer prayers of love and encouragement to people I hold dear. One of the greatest gifts we have is the gift of the opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for your life, thank you for your love. I was so thankful for the privilege of saying thank you to my dad for his love and for his leading me to Christ. Now he is gone and we continue to heal. Thank you Milton and Kristy for your life's work. Thank you for your Christianity. Thanks for being real! Every day you are in my heart and prayers. Even now, know that He still orders our steps!
Praising and Praying.
I've never met Kristy, but it's still sad to think she's about to step off into eternity.
Sad for those who are left behind but certainly not sad for her. Imagine the thrill of seeing Jesus... gives me goose-bumps.
Praising the Lord that she's saved 'cause as Beth Moore says, eternity is an awful long time.
Praying for you all that your grief won't overwhelm you as can happen.
Sending down-under hugs to all in your family and church.
Lee
Western Australia
Step by step, God leads each believer to Eternity.
It is, indeed, a sacred moment. Let's remove our shoes and praise His holy name. How different our lives would be without our precious Jesus.
You are surrounded by the love of praying brothers and sisters in Christ. Count us among them.
My heart is breaking to lose such a sear sister in Christ -- yet singing for Kristy's reunion with Jesus, Praying...
My thoughts and Prayers are with you both and your beautiful family.
Blessings
well done good and faithful servant.
well done.
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