ÜberJoy

Passing On....

My dear grandmother on my mom's side passed on last week. I've grown up with 3 of my grandparents. They have all lived in Greensboro my entire life. I would spend the night on a regular basis with my mom's parents when I was little. I remember shopping trips, getting to watch Dallas and Falcon Crest on Friday nights, and yummy Saturday morning breakfasts. My grandmother hosted most of our holiday celebrations. She even helped watch our boys when I worked some in the mornings. She was a very present part of my life. I will miss her and there will be a huge absence in our future family celebrations.
Thankfully, she knew Jesus and I think she grew to depend on Him a lot in her later days. Her pastor had met with her a few weeks ago when she was declining rapidly. During her service yesterday, the pastor mentioned that she had picked out the scripture readings and the hymns that we sang. It was really comforting knowing the scripture that was read was important to her and the songs we sang she had worshiped her God to.
After my mom had told me she had died, I began wrestling with doubt. Huge questions began to overwhelm me. I began to say , "Oh Lord, may the new life in heaven be all that we think it is, may it be real and true". That Thursday morning, I asked the Lord to confirm my faith moment by moment. I asked for confirmation that He is who says He is. Big request huh?
A few moments later, I pulled Marschall aside to tell him about his Maw-Maw. I happened to sit down with him in our bedroom, on my grandmother's hope chest she had given me a few weeks ago. As I sat there, trying to explain death to a 5-year old, I was overwhelmed with God's mercy and comfort. I got this picture of hope. Our faith is based on hope in Him; in God's gift of His Son, in His death, in his resurrection and in His return to come back. God has given us His hope through His Spirit. We cannot contrive this through emotion, it is a gift through Him who lives in us that know Him. (Rom 5:5)
So whether my faith waivers or is strong as a mighty tower, He has given me an anchor to hold on to. Hebrews 6:19 says "this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil"... I am holding on tight to that anchor and thankfully when my grip begins to loosen His Spirit in me shows me the "Presence behind the veil". My God is faithful, even to let me rest in Him, on an old piece of furniture that we call a hope chest.
Marschall often asks questions about Jesus; what He looks like, what heaven will be like and when will we get to go? I can't help see the wonderment in his eyes and get excited myself. I am confident my grandmother is experiencing heaven to it's fullest. I take great comfort in knowing she is whole again and is seeing the face of God.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Excerpt from the hymn How Great Thou Art