by Shirlee Vandegrift

Today (April 4) a dear man died and went to Heaven. We all knew it was going to happen sooner or later. In fact we knew it was likely to be sooner. Such a hard last year he had as did his wife and family. And so we say the correct things and we rally around and we rejoice knowing he is with our Lord. At the same time we grieve, not as those who have no hope, but sorrowful nevertheless.

This dear man was a lot of good, but he wasn’t perfect. None of us are. This husband and father was loving and loved. This kind man was a child of God and now he is with Him. Thoughts flit through my mind and I smile inside at the memories of this dear man and his faithful wife. They were two of my first friends at our church. You felt loved when you were around them. And so tonight I pray that when Jesus took this man’s hand this afternoon He immediately took him to meet the Father. God smiled, I’m sure.

May we hold on to the truth that there are no more tears in Heaven, no more pain. And may we find the words of a famous hymn, “When we’ve been there 10,000 years … we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise.” to be one of Heaven’s blessings. And finally, when it is our turn, when it happens again, may we walk with the Son to meet the Father. I can hardly wait.