Saying Good-bye

As some of you know, our family lost my grandpa about a month ago.  He suffered from lung cancer and congestive heart failure.  It was one of those times in your life where you know death is coming but you can't quite wrap your head around it or know how you'll feel until you get the call. 

It was the eve of our 10th anniversary and our youngest son's 3rd birthday when my dad called to tell us that grandpa was now with Jesus.  I put the phone down and immediately began to cry.  It's amazing how human you feel in that moment.  Helplessly human.  Death will and does come. 

Weeks before, grandpa had told us all he was ready to go and stand before the Lord.  He faithfully loved, gave, and served.  He was  ready.  He had eternity in mind.  He knew his earthly body was failing and he was already looking to be with Jesus.  What an amazing thing to know that it was simply a matter of time before he would be in the presence of his Savior! 

As the days go by we wonder what grandpa's doing in heaven.  What is it like?  What is he experiencing?  The glory!  It reminds me to live for eternity!  This verse in James says "...yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."  I am again challenged to make today count!

Shortly after his death my cousin posted the 1st question from the Heidelberg Catechism that grandpa could have recited in his sleep.  He believed it will all his heart and it give me hope today!

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.


He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.