I can only imagine the scene of angels surrounding my Nanny, mom and Aunt Elaine as they sang my Papa to heaven. It must have been so beautiful because my Papa willingly released his hold on his earthly family for his eternal Father in heaven. Had he not faithfully served God every day of his life including the difficult ones, he may not have been so certain of where he would go when he took his last breath. Those of us who knew him, were well aware of what was waiting for him. Papa knew God was all he ever needed and that is the legacy my Papa left behind.
The painstaking reality of losing a loved one is almost too much to bare if you do not know that God is All any of us need in this life.
Our family knew it would happen, yet you are never quite ready to face the reality of someone you love being gone. It was the dreaded news we received a few weeks ago when Papa was told that the doctors could not heal him. This brave and godly man once said, 'I'm a winner either way!' when given the devastating news that he had cancer. That was a little over two years ago. This time, as my Papa bravely faced the inevitable, he fought as hard as he could to stay with us. His work on earth was done on, Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:45 am. There must have been one heck of a celebration in heaven as we mourned our loss on earth.
I am so thankful for having been given the opportunity to spend time with Papa in his last days, because death can sneak up so fast that many people do not have a chance to say goodbye. I am thankful that he suffered little pain considering what he had been through.
Today as I look back on blessed memories of an amazing grandfather, I am reminded of scripture that brings me comfort. Comfort that I will need in the days and weeks ahead when the shock wears off and I feel the pain of what has just happened.
1. God is close to the broken hearted and crushed in spirit.
2. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
3. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
4. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens;
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Thank you Lord, for my family and friends. The blessings are endless even in spite of the sadness that we face. I will miss Papa's smile and hearing him call me 'CC' as he did my entire life. Most of all I will miss seeing him beside my Nanny who he married 66 years ago. Yet, I understand that there is a time for everything. This week was the time for my Papa to go home. His work on earth was done and my heart smiles just imagining the paradise that awaited him. Thank You for orchestrating each step that my Nanny and Papa took towards You through the years. It will continue to be a source of inspiration throughout my life. I have often asked for Papa's guidance when studying Your word. He always had the words to help me understand how majestic You are! The memories are endless. I had the best Papa You could have ever blessed me with and I pray that you will help me to never forget his unwavering faith, in my times of need. My Papa is right, You are all I need.
The painstaking reality of losing a loved one is almost too much to bare if you do not know that God is All any of us need in this life.
Our family knew it would happen, yet you are never quite ready to face the reality of someone you love being gone. It was the dreaded news we received a few weeks ago when Papa was told that the doctors could not heal him. This brave and godly man once said, 'I'm a winner either way!' when given the devastating news that he had cancer. That was a little over two years ago. This time, as my Papa bravely faced the inevitable, he fought as hard as he could to stay with us. His work on earth was done on, Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:45 am. There must have been one heck of a celebration in heaven as we mourned our loss on earth.
I am so thankful for having been given the opportunity to spend time with Papa in his last days, because death can sneak up so fast that many people do not have a chance to say goodbye. I am thankful that he suffered little pain considering what he had been through.
Today as I look back on blessed memories of an amazing grandfather, I am reminded of scripture that brings me comfort. Comfort that I will need in the days and weeks ahead when the shock wears off and I feel the pain of what has just happened.
1. God is close to the broken hearted and crushed in spirit.
2. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
3. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
4. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens;
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Thank you Lord, for my family and friends. The blessings are endless even in spite of the sadness that we face. I will miss Papa's smile and hearing him call me 'CC' as he did my entire life. Most of all I will miss seeing him beside my Nanny who he married 66 years ago. Yet, I understand that there is a time for everything. This week was the time for my Papa to go home. His work on earth was done and my heart smiles just imagining the paradise that awaited him. Thank You for orchestrating each step that my Nanny and Papa took towards You through the years. It will continue to be a source of inspiration throughout my life. I have often asked for Papa's guidance when studying Your word. He always had the words to help me understand how majestic You are! The memories are endless. I had the best Papa You could have ever blessed me with and I pray that you will help me to never forget his unwavering faith, in my times of need. My Papa is right, You are all I need.
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