Good Bye Grandpa

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. Ps 116:15

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1-3



My Grandpa went to heaven today. He has been in poor health for many years, and the past few months, we knew the time was near. My sisters and I went up yesterday to say good bye. We were the last of the relatives planning to visit. When we got there he looked good and was sleeping peacefully. He could hear us, but couldn't really respond, and only opened his eyes for a moment. After we visited for awhile in his room, I kissed him good bye, and told him I loved him. Then we left.

After we left he took a turn for the worse and at 12:45 am, he went to heaven. Although I was not there when he passed, my dad says it was a peaceful event, as it should be for believers. The word of God says blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints. He has been in hospice since Thursday, and Dad has been with him most of the time, listening to worship music, reading the Word, praying, and talking about Jesus. I am sure Grandpa is having a great time right now marveling at the Beauty of Jesus.

My Grandma has Alzheimers, and goes in and out of reality, but in God’s grace she had a time of clarity last night and was able to say good bye. While saying good bye she sang him a song that I am pretty sure I will always remember "Jesus loves me this I know. More and more like Him you've grown. Now he comes to take you home."

This weekend we will celebrate His life. Like all of us, my Grandpa was not perfect, but one thing is for certain, He loved Jesus. He taught his kids to love Him. His kids taught his grandkids, and how I am teaching His great grandkids. That is worth celebrating.

I will miss my Grandpa, but I know I will see Him again, and I know that he is a part of the great cloud of witnesses that is cheering me on.


grandpa memories....
Some of my favorite memories of Grandpa is his singing. He loved Southern Gospel music. I liked it when he sang. And his humming. He used to hum alot. He loved black licorice and lemon drops, and I used to buy them for him for Christmas as a kid--thinking I was getting him something really great. Whenever I would visit as a kid, and would sit on his lap he used to ask "what are you good for?" and of course the standard answer was "nothing" so then he would say, "so your good for nothin'" then he would laugh (i remember his laugh well) and give me a hug.

I remember Grandpa as a student of the Word. He loved the Word of God, and he loved to read. My favorite grandpa place was his office. He had SO MANY books. I loved his library, and used to tease him that when he passed I was going to take all of his books, but he always said you'll have to fight the boys for them (my cousins). To which I said, "no problem, I can take 'em!" But all through Bible College he would give me some of his books for Christmas each year.

In the Darkness comes revelation....

Last weekend was our annual church ladies retreat. We had a great time. God is good, and touched many lives, including mine. We focused on the book of Daniel and the Song of Songs. May thing that is an odd combination, but the theme for the weekend was "Come Away With Me" and we talked alot about how God speaks to us in the darkness (as he did with Daniel). How our breakthroughs, our suddenlies, our revelations, most often come during the dark times of our lives. Those are the times we most need to go away with Him. The dark times of our lives our the times we grow the most. I really dont like dark times---does anyone? And it seems my family and I have gone through quite a few the past few years. But I am thankful for them (once they are over) because they prove God's faithfulness, and draw us closer to Him. Through each one I have grown; growth that is not possible in good times only. Thank You, Jesus, for your faithfulness. Thank you for being with me in the dark times, and for bringing your Light. I love you, Lord.