Flashbulb Memories by “Brother Bill”
Do you love God enough to give him your love, as my loss Gods gain?
So, today I’d like to share with you a deeply heartfelt message of how in each marriage one will bury the other spouse unless they die together — my loss God’s gain of my wife Laurie. Today ten years after she went to be with our Lord, I’m Honoring her Proverbs 31 memory, while facing a world that feels dark or unstable can take real courage and faith, but it’s impossible without Gods spirit. His spirit constantly gives me Scripture, and offers powerful reassurance to help keep my eyes on the eternal destination rather than the painful obstacles along the way. When I am weak I’m strong. Here are several NKJV verses that speak directly to that focus, hope, and perseverance — and to celebrating Laurie’s life in the presence of God:
⸻Fixing Your Eyes on the Eternal Hope
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (NKJV)“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”⸻Running Toward the Heavenly Goal
Philippians 3:13–14 (NKJV)“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”⸻Keeping Your Mind on God’s Peace
Isaiah 26:3–4 (NKJV)“You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.Trust in the Lord forever,For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”⸻Laurie’s Eternal Rest in Christ
John 11:25–26 (NKJV)“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”⸻The Promise of Renewal
Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”⸻Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”⸻
Laurie’s life — her love, her faith, and the way she touched ours — continues to bear fruit that no darkness can erase. The same God who holds her now also holds us, leading us onward toward reunion and rest.Thank you for 36 years and three great children. Your legacy is in your progeny; and they all, while having challenges are walking with our lord, doing well. So rather than focus on the obstacles we are focusing on our destination. I look forward to seeing Jesus Christ with you, our parents, and grandparents.
It’s been a blessed, adventurous, journey on our 46th year of marriage, keep decorating Jesus’ mansions using hot glue and Velcro when necessary. (John 14:2 NKJV)
READ:
The Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV)
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
