Friday, April 3, 2009

Celebrating The Victory of Death







"For the Lord Most High is awesome, He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. He chose the promise land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob's descendants, whom he loves." Psalm 47:2-4

It is impossible to describe how awesome GOD is with words, yet we have an obligation to share HIS greatness with others. We should begin by sharing what we know in our hearts to be true about ALMIGHTY GOD.

Last Saturday, my Grandmother Bowling ended her earthly struggle with emotional and physical pain and ascended into her Heavenly Father's arms. She spent 92 years in a body tormented by the demon's of her past, forever affecting and entire family. For many years those demons were allowed to rip our family limb from limb. Each member of our family has carried the affects of our Grandmother's scarred childhood with them throughout their lives.

Though many will not admit it, we carry strong values and traits because of our Grandmother's affect on our lives. Each child and grandchild values knowledge and education; we strive for perfection in all areas of our lives.

There has never been a closeness in the Bowling family. Because of the dynamics within our family, the grandchildren were not allowed to be close. We were robbed of the relationship "each of us" secretly longed for, daily.

Our Grandmother genetically left some of us an inner strength and a boldness most individuals do not embody. Our personalities are strong; we are stubborn and outspoken. Each of us work daily to use these qualities in a positive way, rather than negatively harming those in our path.

Today, I could not be more thankful for each of these qualities. Because my sister and I share these traits with our cousin Jennifer, GOD in HIS infinite wisdom brought us together through difficult circumstances. Jennifer now shares a bond with Courtney and I no one can destroy. The enemy has now lost his foothold in one more life. At ages 42, 40, and 28, we will begin anew. Courtney and I do not have a cousinly bond with Jennifer, we have a new sister to love and cherish!

Geographically we are far apart, however, our hearts are forever united. A healing beyond description took place as a result of our Grandmother's death and we are praising GOD for the opportunity He laid before us.

It is our prayer many others within our family will surrender their hurt and pain to a Heavenly Father who heals, protects, loves, and restores. Jennifer, Courtney, and I long for the sons, daughter in laws, and other grandchildren to find the peace, happiness, and healing we now share.

Celebrating the victory of death,


Andrea







9 comments:

Alleluiabelle said...

What a beautiful life story of how God has touched all of you in a mighty healing way. He is our Almighty God that heals the hearts of all people. I will be praying for your family. I will be praying for mended and healed hearts and an ultimate unity within your family tree that will go way beyond human understanding. Look what He already has done? Beautiful Andrea, just beautiful.

I stand with you today sister and say, "Satan we cast you out of this family. You no longer have any kind of strong hold over them. From generation to generation we unleash your bondage and we stand firm today and boldly declare, "Freedom is ours today and forever more by the saving power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you Father. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for all mankind. Praise and honor to your holy name.

God bless you sweet daughter of the King. I'm holding you close to my heart.

Alleluiabelle

Saleslady371 said...

Andrea:
I prayed the above prayer just now posted by Alleluiabelle. How wonderful the restoration among the three of you! Good things are in store for you. That photo is wonderful. I can see the peace and love in your faces. I know this has been a difficult time for you; but I'll tell ya...you look great!

Joan said...

Blessings, Andrea!

Death where is thy sting?

I have no fear of leaving this earth. Amen. My God is an awesome god!

Laurie said...

Thank you for sharing about your family. You three ladies are beautiful, too. I rejoice with you in the Awesomeness of God!

RCUBEs said...

Thank u for sharing a nice pic sister and a very touching life's story. I joined sister Alleluiabelle with her prayer. I'm so glad to hear that God used this bittersweet reunion to make ur eternal bond with ur cousin surfaced and be known. I'll keep u and ur family in my prayers. God bless...Love u in Christ...-Rosel

Lora said...

Andrea, so nice to meet you and I praise the Lord for your awesome and eternal perspectice.

I pray a prayer for our family that I wrote down from a Beth Moore book, and I pray it over you today Dear One:

God, chase down every member of the Bowling's extended families and make them Your own to heal any brokenness with Your love and make every life matter. We ask for such a mark on the Bowling family that no generation will be without lovers of His Word, teachers of His Truth and followers of His way, right up to the very return of Christ. Amen.

Mary Moss said...

What a beautiful post. It is incredible how God can use a death to create a "new" life! But then, that is how he works, isn't it!?

I am so grateful for the renewed bond that only sisters can truly understand - whether they live near or far apart, whether they speak once a day or once a year. It is a special bond.

Blessings on all three of you. I will continue to pray for healing for your family.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Very nice tribute. I hope someone can say such affirming things about me someday.

Denise said...

How beautiful.... and how full of hope for those that wait. My family is so torn apart and estranged that a brother and a sister is sooooo far removed from my life and the life of the other brother... They hold such hate and jealousy in their hearts and things from the past hold them in bondage.... I miss them...... Your post gives hope to those of us that wait....... Thank for you your words......