In the frenzy of the daily grind, I often lose sight of what
is lasting. In II Corinthians 4 &5, Paul wrote about the treasures we have
in earthen vessels. He spoke to the honor of bearing the glory of God through
our joys and sufferings. Our bodies are decaying. Whether we are young or old,
God knows the number of our days. Our lives are in His hands. Today, as I
rejoice and look forward to the birth of our Lily, I mourn the death of a
loving grandmother. My sister and my
father called with the news. Grandma had a heart attack and left us in a matter
of minutes. Gentle and meek, her kindness and her laughter warmed our hearts and souls.
“To everything there
is a season... a time to be born and a time to die.” Ecc. 3:2
She genuinely cared about people and always kept an open
door for morning visitors who would occasionally drop by unannounced for
breakfast with Grandaddy and her. The scent of a freshly percolated pot of
coffee mingled with the aromas of hot scratch biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon,
sausage and fried potatoes.
Occasionally, fresh tomatoes from the garden or fried chicken from the
night before accompanied the meal. A jar of honey from Mr. Wood, down the road,
stood alongside the ceramic light blue cream and sugar dishes. As the friends
filled the chairs, talk of gardens, faith, and memories filled the room.
So many sweet memories flood my heart today. I am reminded
of her unwavering faith and of her tender love for her husband of nearly sixty
years. I remember the sleepovers and the bedtime stories, the memories she
shared of her life’s experiences and lessons learned. I will always carry her
memory in my heart. I long to mirror her faith and reflect the Savior and His
love the way that she did, through seasons of want and through seasons of
plenty, through seasons of loss and seasons of delight. She was a real human
being and I am sure would not hesitate to honestly assess her own flaws and
fears. Yet she strived to live at peace with everyone and loved others more
than herself-- always serving, always listening for God’s voice.
“For Christ’s love
compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all
died. And He died for all, that those
who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and
was raised again.”
II Corinthians
5:14-15
In recent years, her body grew frail. As her flesh grew
weary, her spirit remained unshaken. Though her eyes and her mind often failed
her, I know that her heart was constant. Today her blind eyes have seen her
great Savior. Her weary legs have regained their strength as she walks with her
mother and brother and friends. Her confusion has been lifted like a veil from
her mind as she rejoices in the beauty of our great God. She is free and
covered in the goodness and grace of Jesus, her Lord. (II Cor. 5: 1-10)
“Praise the Lord, O
my soul, all my inmost being praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my
soul and forget not all His benefits--
who forgives all your
sins and heals your diseases,
who redeems your life
from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your
desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5
Thank you Lord for her example and the countless lives she
touched as a teacher, friend, mother, and grandmother. Thank You that she is
with you today in Paradise. May You be
glorified in and through us as we mourn and rejoice, as we grieve death and as
we celebrate life and the hope we have in You for an eternal home and inheritance. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment