The Forever Song

We are entering into “late winter” here in zone 7. It’s the time of year that some plants such as fruit trees and roses should be pruned. Late winter pruning encourages plants to grow more profusely in spring. The plants have no leaves on them so it also makes it easy to see the shape of the plant and cut out dead branches. An added bonus for winter pruning is the fact of having a reason to go outside.

Looking out my window today the only color to be seen is the nasty ground ivy, clover and an occasional dandelion. Yet, I can still smile because I know that this season will pass. God’s creation will wake up again and the time for new blooms and mild, warm days will begin. In March we will behold the bold yellow blooms of the forsythia bushes contrasting perfectly with the soft pink of the red bud trees. It is as if all of nature is singing a lullaby.

“But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.” Psalm 42:8 (NLT)

This past month I heard a young woman from our church tell a story. She told about her grandfather. He suffered from dementia and no longer recognized his family. He spoke very little, but, when he did he was confused, frightened, and made no sense. In her grandfather’s final hours, the young woman picked up her guitar and and began to sing all the old hymns that she could remember. She said that as she sang her grandfather began to join in. Somehow he knew all the words to the songs. When they got to the hymn “Amazing Grace” he sang along loud and clear and added two more verses that she had never heard before. Shortly after that he passed.

Tears streamed down my face. Her story took me back fifteen years to March 2001. My dad was in a Hospice room dying of lung cancer. He had fought a valiant fight. The doctors originally said he only had six months to live. But, Dad made it for fourteen. I had received the phone call from my siblings to come because Daddy was passing. At first it was hard to believe. I knew his diagnosis and I saw him failing but the little girl in me just could fathom life on earth without Daddy. To make things worse, I lived six hundred miles away and my husband was on a missions trip in Peru. I was at home with our three young boys. I delayed leaving Oklahoma for a couple days until my husband returned home. I left our oldest son with him and packed up the two younger boys and headed down the road. The boys rode quietly; the trip for me was a total blur. All I remember is praying to make it to Dad’s side in time and the unending stream of tears rolling down my face.

When I finally arrived, my dad was no longer conscious. I went to his side, leaned in close and began to sing that old song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace….” Dad tried his best to open his eyes. He gave a long sigh and I knew that he knew I was there. Approximately ten minutes later he went home to be with the Lord.

“…Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Grief is unique to each one of us. But one thing is true, it is a process. The pain of losing someone we love cannot ever be fully translated into words. It is something we all go through sometime in our lives. For me, I will always miss my dad. He was a strong loving father and husband who loved and cherished his family above anything. Honesty, I do not think about the day my dad died very often. Instead, I remember all the days he lived. I remember all the hours spent camping, swimming at the beach and fishing. I remember all the wonderful Holiday celebrations. I remember how he grilled steak…the list is endless. I thank God for the privilege I had of having two wonderful parents who knew that the land they farmed and loved was a gift from God, their creator. Dad and Mom are both gone now. I do not wish them back for anything in this world. Today as I write this I know without any shadow of doubt that they live. They are young and strong. There is no more sorrow, no hurt, no worry, only joy. And I believe with all my heart there is unending music. Perfect harmony going up before the throne to Jesus the King and God the Father. And one day when I have lived a long life here; I will join them and we will never say goodbye again.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4

“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18