One Day at a time, a daily reflection

by surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com

December 14

God will wipe away our tears

"God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more…" Revelation 21:4

Today is full of many precious memories. I’ve just discovered my beloved grandmother’s funeral homily as I have been going through old files. I remember being overwhelmed when she asked me to officiate at her service. She had it all planned before asking me. She had selected the music that she wanted sung, chosen the scriptures that she wanted read, and had everything paid in full before she died. I remember her saying to me, "I almost wish I could be at the funeral to give everybody there a big hug!" She died as she lived, with loving family members with her.

Grandma had attended many funerals. She wanted hers to be a true memorial to her life of faith and hope in Jesus Christ. She clearly understood that for the Christian, the grave was not the end. It was the beginning of eternity with God. And she anticipated meeting my mother, her other children, beloved husband and so many others in heaven that it was going to be a great family reunion!

During the funeral, many people took the opportunity to share "Alf and Inga" stories. We laughed and cried. What a woman! What a family! Hearing the stories was a marvelous legacy to pass on to the next generation. Love never dies as long as there is someone who remembers.

I miss her and cherish many memories. I realize more with every day that she was a spiritually great person. She was a humble working woman who did not finish grade school in Norway. But her spiritual greatness was evident through her constant and simple faith in God. Her faith was the rock that gave her strength for all situations.

Her life was difficult. She came from deep poverty in Norway, only to experience the North American Great Depression era. Her first baby died on Christmas day. She outlived every one of her children. She saw her son go to World War Two, a grandson to Vietnam and a granddaughter go serve in the Persian Gulf War. She outlived most of her friends and family. Illness, grief and bereavement were not strangers to her. Joy, love and laughter kept the difficult times in perspective. Grandma also had a great sense of humor and was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.

My grandmother had a power source that is also available to us. She prayed everyday. She prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. She prayed for more than ninety years, asking God’s blessing and protection for those she loved.

My beloved grandmother gave me some of the greatest prayer lessons in the world. And she never knew I was listening quietly in the adjoining bedrooms while she prayed with Grandpa. During the last ten years of his life, a series of strokes had taken away his speech and most of his movements. Grandpa could not speak a word. Every night Grandma would prepare him for bed. Then she would sit with him, holding his crippled hand. And she would begin praying aloud. She would pray for my mother, cousins, father, brother and myself. She remembered all the grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren by name every night. She prayed for missionaries, her church and people in other countries. And she always would close her prayers, "In Jesus name, amen."

When it was time for her to leave this earth, she specifically asked me to preach her funeral homily from this verse in Revelations. It was her legacy for those who would grieve for her. She fully expected God to wipe away her tears forever and spend eternity where there is no more death, mourning, sickness and pain.

This is our Christian hope. Perhaps we can comfort one another with these words.

Prayer: Thank you for this promise, dear God. Help us remember these words in our great moments of need. Amen.