The Curve

It looks like an unremarkable highway scene.  Why will it always be infamous to me as "The Curve?"

This is the curve where the accident happened - the accident that took place right in front of me that claimed the lives of three of my siblings as we were on the way to the funeral home for my father's "viewing" before his burial.

Will I ever drive by it without remembering that night?  It's been over 17 years, and yet it's still a vivid memory.

This highway scene is on a Manitoba highway in Canada, and it looked much different in the dark of night in the middle of a blustery snow storm with only the head lights of cars trying to penetrate the night.

After leaving the scene of death at the accident and making sure the surviving relatives were stable at the hospital,  we finally got together with the rest of our family at the funeral home.  Breaking the news of what had happened was difficult, but my sister Betty calmed us as she quoted from Isaiah 55:8-9  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Why is this scene of the accident so fresh on my mind again today?  Maybe it's because of  recent Easter and Passover celebrations, remembering when the Lamb of God was sacrificed in my place.  Maybe it's because I can't help but think about death and dying after trying  to watch "The Passion" movie again during this lenten season.  I say tried, because again I could not make it through the entire movie without turning my face away.  If facing the death of my family members was so hard for me and if I as a nurse cannot even bear to watch the reenactment of Jesus suffering,  how difficult was it for God to voluntarily let His Son face death so that I might live?

And that last sentence is where the HOPE lies.  It's because Jesus did not stay dead that I will see my family again.  Hebrews 7:24-25 says "...Because Jesus lives forever, ...He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him."

My sister Faye, who was killed on that curve, loved this song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.  We sang it at her funeral service.  It sums up what I've been trying to say:

God sent His son, They called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died, to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, I know, I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a new born baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives. But greater still is that assurance the child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, I know, I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day, I'll cross that river. I'll fight life's final war with pain. And then as death gives way to victory. I'll see the light of glory and I'll know that He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, I know, I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

I doubt I will ever forget that curve,  but I KNOW my Heavenly Father will NEVER forget the cross.  Because the grave could not hold Jesus,  I know I will see my loved ones again.  Because He lives, I can drive past that curve on my next visit to our homeplace in Manitoba!

Linked to Alphabet Thursdays @ http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday