Plain=Peace
John 14:25-27 from one of Bono’s favorites, The Message Bible. He was born in the same city & same year as Yv.
“ I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”
I often used to say to the students wherever I was sharing, “ I't’s easy for me to stand up and say these things to you but to live it out is very different.”
I still stand by those words, which have never been more true than in this stage of my/our lives. Yvonne‘s passing in October was definitely the most pain I’ve ever experienced, but something that I’m learning is to have a better understanding and a deeper compassion of others that have had experienced loss. I was listening to one of my favorite comedians, Jerry Seinfeld for you, Seinfeld fans out there. He was giving a rebuttal to an interviewer and the gist of it was, He said “I’m just attracted to funny, if you’re funny I’ll be attracted to you. If you’re not, I won’t.”. I woke up this morning thinking about those words and thinking about “Christendom” and being a believer in Jesus. I believe we’re called to love people and in order to do that we need to ourselves be loving, that’s what attracts people to you (Jesus in you). Being authentic and vulnerable goes so much farther than we think, It meets people where they are instead of where we think they should be. I can recall a time that a new friend of mine was in hospital in France and we were living in England, Yv was early days pregnant with Aidan. My dear friend Ian suggested that I take a direct flight to Marseille. So I flew over and when I made it to the hospital, I just held my friend’s hand and said nothing. Which is rare for those of you that know me, but I knew the Spirit was leading me to just be there with Him and that words were not necessary. We became famous friends after that. There’s definitely a winning recipe to loving people, which I’m still navigating. Family has been so epic. For all of us to just comfort each other, then you throw some little grands in the mix. Oliver, Caspian, Margot & Iggy all love in their own special ways and it’s beautiful to be apart of. Even when they ask me the most tender questions that require a smile/cry answer, their hearts are so pure. Family has been the elixir and healing for our hearts when they’re hurting. I’m so thankful for old friends that I can call and they reach out to me in return. Some friends I haven’t heard from in over 20+ years that write me the sweetest little notes. This has brought me & our children such genuine comfort . So I say all of of this to say remember to be led by the Holy Spirit. Ask Him how to reach out to friends in need because it really does make a difference to guys like me and my children. God doesn’t want to leave us where we’re at, He wants for us to be well and whole, with perfect peace. Plain and simple.
So thank you, Merci Beaucoup, and Sláinte to those that have been reaching out and praying for our family. You’re gifting us so much peace.
Love Grady O’
& all of our O’ posse.
