N is for Nevermore (Blogging Through the Alphabet Link Up)

We have all longed for things that are missing: things that we have lost, things that we will never see again. We mourn individuals that have died even though, as Christians, we believe they are in a better place.

Photography of Gettysburg National Cemetery by Kristen H.

© Woodkern | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

One of the words that always pop to mind when hearing the letter 'N' is Nevermore (along with the word, No, because as a parent and a former teacher I have probably said this word more than I would like to recall). One of Edgar Allan Poe's best known poems is "The Raven" in which the narrator is keeping a watch in his home and mourning the loss of his love, Lenore. Our narrator is probably at that state of being half-awake when dreams appear to be reality. It is at this moment he hears a knock and cannot pinpoint from where it is coming. Is it the door? Is it the window?

He finally finds that the source of the knocking is something at his window lattice. A raven enters his abode "with a flirt and flutter." Using numerous images throughout the poem, Poe references mythology, religion, and the classics. The raven, sitting upon a bust of Pallas, quotes one word to our narrator, "Nevermore." (The bust is of Pallas Athena the Greek goddess of wisdom.)

What a scary thought - Nevermore. Will we see our loved ones? Nevermore. Will we be happy again? Nevermore. These are the things that the narrator is obsessing about on this cold December day.

Thankfully, we do not need to believe the raven when he says, "Nevermore," because we will be happy. We will be with our loved ones. We will be with Jesus one day.

So even though our lives may be filled with "nevermores," I firmly believe that our everlasting life is full of forevermores.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His 

only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

John 3:16 NKJV