Death is a part of the plan of our Heavenly Father

Recently, I heard a sermon where the pastor said that he didn't think death was part of God's plan. That it was something that happened contrary to His plan. In my mind, I was thinking, "Did he just say that God's plan is flawed? Or that God doesn't expect death to happen?"  A scripture from the Book of Mormon popped into my head, Alma 12:24 "And thus we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death..."

The way I understand it is that death IS a part of God's plan.  We come to earth in flawed, mortal bodies, prove to Him that we're doing our best to follow Him, and we have to die to get out of these bodies so we can be resurrected.  THEN our bodies will be made perfect and immortal, like our Father in Heaven.  In Romans 8:16-17, it says that we're children of God, and as such, capable of being "joint heirs with Christ." We can receive EVERYTHING that Christ has received, but we have to wait until we receive our perfect bodies. We can live in celestial glory with our Father in Heaven and be a part of his family forever. Yay!  Death is really a good thing in the grand scheme of things.

But for those of us stuck on earth, death just stinks!  

This situation, especially, was an unexpected tragedy. It is painful for those of us left to pick up the pieces. It makes it so much easier to deal with the pain when we know that it's only a step in the eternal scheme, that we'll be reunited with that person (and others who have gone before), and that the reunion will be glorious. God planned for us to be born, prove ourselves, and die so He could give us a perfected body someday.  So we could be heirs to all that He has. We just have to have faith and be patient for that day.

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"You've sure got your hands full."

"Wow, you've sure got your hands full."

I hear this phrase quite often as I'm out with my kids.  Well meaning people wondering why I am crazy enough to have more than the 2 kids (one per parent). Or the people who are a little brave and have THREE.  Shocking!  Well, I've got 4.  And I'm not sure I want to be done yet.  They're so sweet, fun, challenging... 

I have to admit, though, that I'm actually pleasantly surprised by many people.  I haven't gotten the: "You know how to stop having kids, right?" Or "So, now you're done, right?" (And really, it's not anybody's business but mine and my husband and God's.  Not sure why people feel like they have ANY right to comment on whether or not someone's got enough kids--Ok, RANT over.)  

When took the clan to the dentist, they asked about my kids and said, "So, are you guys having more?" in a pleasant tone that was more like "Five would be cool" and less like "Uh.... don't you have enough?"  Which was awesome.  I was stopped by a stranger in the store who just gushed over what sweet children I had and also asked if I was going to add to the sweet family... in a good way. Maybe it's the small-town people who tend to enjoy family more than the rushed lifestyle in the city where there's less time to enjoy.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad I have gotten such positive feedback to my semi-large family.  

(I am one of SIX children, so I don't really feel like four kids constitutes a large family).  

Now, the big question.... Am I going to have anymore?

First, if God sees fit to bless me with more, I would be honored. I LOVE being a mother.  My husband sometimes wonders why we had any, though.  He has a harder time with parenthood, though he is a fabulous dad. So, if he and the Lord are on board for me having more, I just may... all in due time.  My youngest isn't even one year old yet... so not QUITE yet. And... I still think "aww, I miss being pregnant" and the whole snuggling a newborn thing just can't be beat! 

Psalms 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Death is not the end

As I sat in church Sunday, an announcement was made that a 12-year-old boy had passed away during the week. Monday night I heard from a dear friend that her mother lost a battle with cancer.  This morning, another friend told of how she felt impressed to go spend time with her mother... not knowing that it would be the last time they would share such a moment on earth.  Then, a few hours later, my husband called to say his cousin had been in a fatal car accident.  Thankfully, his wife and new baby were not in the vehicle.
It hurts so much to lose someone you love. The ache for spending time with that person doesn't ever fully go away. That is one reason people look to God.  They want to find peace in tragedy. God gives us peace.  He has a plan for everyone, and death is only a step in our eternal plan.  It's a necessary step, painful for those we leave behind, but if we didn't die, we couldn't be resurrected and made perfect.
This weekend is Easter.  The culmination of Christ's gift to us was fulfilled when he rose from the tomb on the third day. I have asked God and have felt the Holy Spirit answer me that He is real.  Jesus Christ did come to earth and suffer for our sins.  He died on the cross and was resurrected on the third day. He did it all for US.  So WE could live again after this life, be reunited with our loved ones, and most especially with Him and with our Father in Heaven.
Because He lives, we too shall live.  All of us... rich, poor, old, young, male, female... everyone.