It’s hard to believe it’s three years since Granny (Mike’s Mom) passed away. This morning as I mentioned it to Mike, from our bedroom window we saw a beautiful rainbow. God’s promise of never again will He flood the earth. God’s promise. Remembering Granny will always bring with it a greater focus on eternity.
Just imagine for a moment that eternity is only 80 million years in length. 10% would be 8 million years. 1% would be 800 000 years. 0.1% would be 80 000 years. 0.01% would be 8000 years. 0.001% would be 800 years. 0.0001% would be 80 years. Based on a short 80 million years of eternity, our 80 years on this earth is only 0.0001%. It is very very little time. Just a breath and we are gone.
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Because we are human, it sounds very negative, but in actual fact, the very opposite is true. Trusting in Christ means it is very positive. We don’t need to worry what this life holds. We do our best, we follow God, we trust in the Lord with all our hearts. One thing we know for sure – the best is yet to come.
And Granny is enjoying all of it right now. We cannot fathom what the afterlife will be like but we do know that it is going to be better than we could ever imagine.
When I look back over my time with Granny, it is bitter sweet. It was hard seeing her deterioration in body and mind. I used to stand in the lounge looking at her frailty and how difficult it was becoming to care for her and I used to remind myself that one day she won’t be here and I need to appreciate each moment with her. That thought would spur me on to be overly kind and patient. She was a wonderful person, so while it wasn’t always easy, the nature of her beautiful spirit made it far easier than if she was a crotchety old lady!
Mike always speaks so very highly of his parents. Whenever he reflects on them, he says, “I had the best. They were wonderful parents.” It’s heart-warming. It’s the kind of thing you hope your children will one day say about you, but don’t think they will! Our flaws are too obvious.
The other thing I think when I think of Granny is that this is how it is supposed to happen. You are supposed to get old and die. As cynical as that sounds, there was nothing un-natural about her old age and passing. She was 89 when she slipped away. Death is never easy to watch, but when the last breath is breathed and her spirit soars away, there is a great release and often times for the watching family, relief and sadness meet together in the final farewell.
And so it was with beautiful Granny who dances on streets of gold and probably tends the majestic heavenly gardens. Her mansion is secure and the view from it quite spectacular. When I cross the great divide, she will be there to meet me, along with other loved ones and the reunion will be sweet.
It’s not something to fear. Since Jesus came, death has no sting.
#39 of my 1000 thanks is for the life of Granny. 🙂
These are the days!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂