I once read (and I cannot remember the source, but it was from someone who clinically died and had a near-death experience) that dying was like taking off a pair of very tight shoes, and that the life that awaits us is sheer bliss and love. I have held onto that thought for years now, especially as my wife and I get older.
I also read somewhere that the phrase "Fear not" (or some variation of that) appears in the Bible over 360 times, one for each day of the year. So I must fear not. This life here is a schoolroom, I just hope I have learned all the lessons I came here to learn.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Thank you for a beautiful message Sean!! I've lost 2-sons and I pray daily that they are soaring the heavens, happy and knowing how much they are loved from this end. And of course, my mom and dad/s and the host of smiling Dalmatian dogs!
Sean! I’ve noticed a shift in your writings, since the Camino walk! It’s wonderful how you, now, are so blatant in professing your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your columns reach untold numbers & now you’re speaking the truths of the Lord reaching hearts, souls and minds for Christ.
May the Lord bless & keep you & make his face shine upon you as you continue your journey in this life. I look forward to meeting you in that great crowd of witnesses! You’ve got this kiddo!
Wow. This is so beautiful. My sister passed unexpectedly a little over a year ago and I have felt that confirmation from her in the spirit and reading your words feels like a confirmation of truth I really needed. No doubt this will bring such hope and peace to so many. Thank you once again!
My most favorite hymn to sing, especially at a Funeral Mass, is “Be Not Afraid.” The refrain is “Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow me, and I will give you rest.”
Sometimes, I cannot get the words out. Emotion builds up, and I am overwhelmed by the power of the message.
I also imagine my mom greeting & meeting my nephew (her grandson whom she never got to meet) since she died at the young age of 45 and he at 29. I can only imagine the outpouring of love!
“This presence was the origin of love”. Sean, you have a way of saying things that meet people where they are. I believe that is called “getting the hay out of the barn and down on the ground so the cows can eat it”.
I once read (and I cannot remember the source, but it was from someone who clinically died and had a near-death experience) that dying was like taking off a pair of very tight shoes, and that the life that awaits us is sheer bliss and love. I have held onto that thought for years now, especially as my wife and I get older.
I also read somewhere that the phrase "Fear not" (or some variation of that) appears in the Bible over 360 times, one for each day of the year. So I must fear not. This life here is a schoolroom, I just hope I have learned all the lessons I came here to learn.
Dear Sean- thank you for this moving post. I lost my husband 1 year ago today and this gave me such peace. Thank you, my heart is full! ❤️❤️❤️
Carol, I am sorry for your loss of your husband. I'm sure his memory is a blessing for you.
Carol, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved. May his memory continue to be a blessing to you.....
John 14:1–3 (NIV)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
I know this is a Deep Column, but my favorite line: “Dogs do not wake up and ask ‘do I have adequate life insurance?’ “🤣🐶😇✝️ God bless us, everyone ❣️
And I rather liked God's reply at the end.
this brings to mind the lyrics of an old , wonderful hymn;
🎵When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be….🎵
Thank you for a beautiful message Sean!! I've lost 2-sons and I pray daily that they are soaring the heavens, happy and knowing how much they are loved from this end. And of course, my mom and dad/s and the host of smiling Dalmatian dogs!
I love that image of “Soaring the Heavens!”
Sean! I’ve noticed a shift in your writings, since the Camino walk! It’s wonderful how you, now, are so blatant in professing your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your columns reach untold numbers & now you’re speaking the truths of the Lord reaching hearts, souls and minds for Christ.
May the Lord bless & keep you & make his face shine upon you as you continue your journey in this life. I look forward to meeting you in that great crowd of witnesses! You’ve got this kiddo!
Amen and Amen! Sean, I truly believe that you are meant to be alive and writing “for such a time as this.”
Be not afraid…but let’s not rush. I plan to be late for my funeral…
An incredible post. I cannot find the right words to express my feelings. Praise God!
When my time comes I pray it will be this way as I cross the Rainbow Bridge to see all my beloved pets again.
Amen to this!
I needed this today. I hear it a lot, but I don’t always believe I’m loved like that. I guess you were way ahead of me, Kiddo.
Wow. This is so beautiful. My sister passed unexpectedly a little over a year ago and I have felt that confirmation from her in the spirit and reading your words feels like a confirmation of truth I really needed. No doubt this will bring such hope and peace to so many. Thank you once again!
My most favorite hymn to sing, especially at a Funeral Mass, is “Be Not Afraid.” The refrain is “Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow me, and I will give you rest.”
Sometimes, I cannot get the words out. Emotion builds up, and I am overwhelmed by the power of the message.
There’s an anthem by Philip Stopford called”Do Not Be Afraid.” Look it up on YouTube. It chokes me up, too.
Another one is No More Night sang by the greatest tenor David Phelps.
The music I first heard on my Cursillo. It has been what I lean on when I get afraid.
Sean, thank you for sowing blessings. “Be not afraid I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest.”
God is love! Nothing shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39. Praise God!
I also imagine my mom greeting & meeting my nephew (her grandson whom she never got to meet) since she died at the young age of 45 and he at 29. I can only imagine the outpouring of love!
“This presence was the origin of love”. Sean, you have a way of saying things that meet people where they are. I believe that is called “getting the hay out of the barn and down on the ground so the cows can eat it”.
Wow this was a powerful one Sean. I needed this first thing this morning. My prayer is that this is exactly how it is. Thanks.
Rest assured, Pamela…it most definitely is. 🙏