Through the Darkness: Now at Peace, Walking the Streets of Gold

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Now at Peace, Walking the Streets of Gold

This afternoon we received the call that I was so afraid of.

The call that would bring a rush of mixed emotions.

First, extreme sadness . . .

Then maybe a little bit of relief and joy on another's behalf.

God had called my grandpa home. His life on this earth was finished and God was ready to welcome him into the gates of heaven with his arms open wide.

I could just imagine that bright smile on my grandpa's face and that sparkle in his eye as he ran into the arms of God. What a glorious day it must be for him. A day that had so far only been dreamed of -- the day to finally see Jesus face to face.

He often spoke of such a day when there would be no more pain and no more suffering. His faith in God was strong and contagious. He left a great example behind for all of us -- something we all should pay attention to and strive to achieve. Though he was not perfect he did his best to do what he knew to be right in the sight of God.

It was so hard when I walked into his room and saw his lifeless body laying there on the bed. Completely emotionless and still.

I cried hysterically as I stood there.

Everyone told me to make sure I had enough time there with him before they came and took him away. I stood by his bedside with my hand on his arm, but it wasn't enough . . . I knew he was no longer in this body. With my hand on his arm, everything within me wished I could hug him and tell him I love him one last time and to have him hug me back. I am so thankful I had an opportunity Friday night while he was coherent for a few minutes to tell him I love him. I bent over him while he was in his bed and gave him a hug. I didn't want to let go. I heard him say to me "I love you. I love you forever." His last spoken words to me. Tears flowed down my face and I struggled to get out my reply. I will hold onto that moment forever.

Although I am overcome with grief, I rejoice. I rejoice in the fact that he is now and forever at peace and that he gets to walk the streets of gold at Jesus' side.

2 comments:

HeatherFebruary 5, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Sweet Monique, it is so hard to lose the ones we love. My heart hurts with you as I read your words,and it rejoices with you that you know he is in Jesus' arms. Love you and I'm praying for all of you.
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MoniqueFebruary 5, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Thank you Mrs. Heather, we appreciate it greatly. Love you too
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The rainy Day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;It rains, and the wind is never weary;The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,But at every gust the dead leaves fall,And the day is dark and dreary.My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;It rains, and the wind is never weary;My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,But the hopes of the youth fall thick in the blast,And the days are dark and dreary.Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;Thy fate is the common fate of all,Into each life some rain must fall,Some days must be dark and dreary.~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Lords Way

Isaiah 55:8-11~For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Wings as Eagles

Isaiah 40:28-31~Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.