“You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed… the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts… We were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ… it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ… in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)

Dear Kindness, 

These promises mean so much more when we have experienced the death of a loved one. Our grief gives us a window into Your motives. We begin to understand how You felt when our living relationship with You died in the Fall! You were bereft! Your heart broke and grieved for all who were cut off from Life itself—You. You grieved our absence. 

But Your love reached into the jaws of death! You would not allow us to be taken from You! You came Yourself to make a way out, a way home to You. We will never, in this life, fully understand the price You paid, sinless Savior, taking the just punishment for all the evil in the world. 

Oh how You have loved us! Jesus, what You gave so You would never be without us! Let our trust in You, each and every moment, be worthy of You. Let us boast in Your lavish love! For Who would choose the utterly broken ones to be the gift He wanted most in all the universe, for all time? Yet, You do. 

In Jesus Name Forever