When Heaven Calls

Monday, a college friend of mine lost her 16-year-old daughter unexpectedly.  Savannah was a beautiful girl who loved the Lord with every fiber of her being.  The last time I saw her was while vacationing in Virginia in 2002.  At that time she was an only child but Monday she left behind 3 younger siblings.  When I got the email of her passing my heart broke for her family.  How could this happen to them?  Why did God take her?

Today I read Savannah's obituary and it was a beautiful loving tribute of a child that in our eyes is gone too soon but Earth's loss is Heaven's gain, right?  I began to wonder how her parents would plan her funeral.  Do they know what some of her favorite songs are, her favorite outfit, personal affects that they might want to place in her coffin, pictures to display, etc.? 

The past few years I seem to have a fascination with death.  Many would say I'm not afraid of dying but rather living.  That may be true.  I know I have placed my faith in Christ.  I know that when I die He is going to receive me with arms open wide and I hope to hear Him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."  My friends and family sometimes get upset with me when I tell them what songs I want played at my funeral or some of the things I want done but then, why shouldn't I plan and prepare?  I have always been a very OCD person when it comes to planning, organizing, scheduling, etc. so would this be any different?

I don't want people trying to make decisions for me that I could have made for myself.  I can make it easy for them if they listen now while they have me with them.  I know what songs I want to be sung at the funeral.  I want the congregation to sing the traditional hymns: What A Day That Will Be and My Savior First Of All.  I want vocalists to perform or a video to be shown of the following songs (click on titles to see/hear videos): Applause by The Talley Trio, Celebrate Me Home  by The Perrys, Christians Never Say Goodbye by The Nelons,  Now That You Know by Karen Peck and New River.  I have about 25 of my favorite songs on a CD I made  titled "Going Home."  I tried to enjoy life to the fullest so I want my friends and family to be rejoicing that I am where their hearts long to be.

Everyone knows how cold natured I am.  I am always wrapping up in a blanket, snuggling up to my preacher's wife to stay warm in church, etc.  I even take a blanket to the movie theater with me.  So, I told Sandy and my "sis" that I want to be wrapped in a warm fleece blanket from the waist down.  And I loved holding hands with those I was closest to so, those close to me are going squeeze my hand tight as they say good-bye.  Place my favorite KJV Bible near the coffin but let someone have it when I die.  It has tons of notes, quotes, signatures, etc. that I have collected since winning that thing when I was 16.  It was my treasure here on Earth and I hope it will become someone's treasure when I'm gone.

When Christ was here on Earth He also helped prepare His disciples for His death.  He was always reminding them of Calvary and pointing them and others toward Heaven.  He was furthering the Kingdom of God and making ready for His crucifixion.

When my friend/coworker's mother died 2 years ago she knew how strong my faith was and that I was also a very talented writer.  I'll never forget when she asked me: "Gigi, paint me a picture of Heaven.  What do you think Mama is seeing and experiencing now?"  I was very compassionate yet honest.  I told her that her mother wasn't crying because she was separated from her children.  Her mother had been reunited with the King of Kings, with her husband, with other family and friends that had gone on before her.

Heaven isn't just a picture that we see as children...yes, it is pearly gates, streets of gold, crystal waters but it is so much more.  It's a place where Christians get to live for all eternity.  A place where the body doesn't experience pain, sorrow, tears, the sting of death or betrayal.  It's a place where the only scars you'll see are those of our Savior.  I long to touch those nail-scarred hands and to walk hand-in-hand with the Lord.  I long to be a part of the Heavenly choir and to sing His praises around the throne.

Monday Savannah slipped into eternity and now I believe she is looking down on us and smiling.  She was only here for 16 years but she has left behind a beautiful legacy.  What will your legacy be?  What are people going to remember about you?  When Heaven calls are you going to be ready?  My pastor said that all roads lead to Heaven but where will you go from there?  

I know most of us don't want to think about death.  We don't want to believe we are going to die or we think we have all the time in the world to plan.  Savannah's family didn't.  Neither did those families effected by the shootings in Aurora, Columbine, the Amish School in PA, etc.  We aren't guaranteed tomorrow.  Maybe you can put some of your dying wishes down on paper so that your family won't have to try to figure it out.

My prayers go out to Savannah's family and with the recent tragedy in Aurora, Colorado (shooting at the movie theater) my thoughts are with all those families who are left to pick up the pieces, make sense of the unexpected and move on.  Only God can give them that special measure of grace and mercy to forgive and push forward.  And only God can comfort them during their darkest hours.

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

How Will You Be Remembered?

Recently we have bid farewell to a lot of American legends and everyone is talking about these remarkable people and the life they led. They are getting just as much publicity in death as they did in life. Enough to continue selling tabloids, magazines, music, to crash the Internet and to cause controversy. We remember them for the good and the bad but it won't be that way in Heaven. God isn't going to care about how many movies they made, how many records they sold, etc. God is going to want to know what they did for Him. Everyone will stand before God. Some will stand before the Lord and hear Him say, "Welcome home my good and faithful servant." And others will get a glimpse of the Lord and hear Him say, "Depart from me. I never knew you" and be cast into the lake of fire.

How will you be remembered when it is time for someone to deliver your eulogy or write up your obituary? Will there be enough goodness in your life that people will be able to speak highly of you or will people be at a loss for words? Will you find favor in the sight of the Lord when you stand before Him?

Every morning on the way to work I say a little prayer. I remember all my friends and family that are going thru difficult times, bad health, financial woes, etc. I seek the Lord's forgiveness for sins I may have committed, people I may have offended, and I ask the Lord to bring someone into my life that I might witness to. I ask God to fill my words with love and kindness and to give me more love and compassion to those who need it. I am usually a friend to the outcast or the underdog because everyone needs someone.

I am a very educated person and most introduce me as that smart girl. But I tell people that is not what I want my legacy to be. I want people to know how much I loved the Lord and how I tried to further the kingdom. I want people to know how I have cried a river of tears because I felt helpless to do anything else. I want them to know how much I loved music and how it was a part of me thru singing and dancing. I want them to remember the many cards and letters I sent out with the hopes of encouraging others. Or how I allowed a life filled with adversity to bring glory to the Lord because I knew that in the end it would be worth it all.

How will you be remembered? Are you going to be remembered by the local tavern owner who knew you came in every night and got wasted? Are you going to be remembered by family who knew how badly you beat them, mistreated them, and caused them to suffer? Will you be remembered as a dishonest business person, a person who acquired social status, money or fame at the expense of others? What will people have to say about you when you're gone?

Will you be remembered for your acts of charity? Will you be remembered as the one who took in the poor and broken-hearted? Will you be remembered as the person who made a difference in someone's life when they had no reason to live?

I hope that friends and family remember me for the fun and laughter I brought to most occasions. I hope they remember me for my love of singing.  Music seemed to be in every fiber of my being and  I shared that music with them. I want to be remembered as the girl who had every reason to quit but didn't because she still knew the Lord had a purpose for her.

When I die I would love to have the words of Erma Bombeck written on my epitaph:

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

So, if you can't take it with you when you go what will be your legacy when you leave this world? What will you leave behind?

Hugh: Gone But Not Forgotten (1961-2009)

Have you ever wondered how people get through the difficult times? How do you deal with the loss of a loved one or friend? How do you bounce back after a friendship has floundered, a business crumbles or your dreams are dashed upon the stones? You look to the God of the ages and you realize that it was a part of God’s plan. God makes no mistakes. He makes all things beautiful in His time and though you may be crying today; He will restore the laughter. Hold on to His unchanging hand, joy comes in the morning.

Can you rejoice in times of sadness, sorrow, illness, and financial loss? Yes, you can if you trust in the God of the impossible. God hasn’t promised us a bed of roses or sunshine without rain. God never promised us that hearts wouldn’t be broken, that children wouldn’t rebel, that fathers wouldn’t leave, marriages wouldn’t end or success wouldn’t turn to failure. God only promised to be there no matter what. God promised that He would never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5&6).

Last Friday I found out that my best friend’s brother had passed away. We knew this was coming because he had been sick for some time and hospice was called in right before Easter. But did that make it any easier to say good-bye? No. What made it easier was the peace of God and knowing that Hugh was now in the presence of our Lord.

I immediately went to my friend’s side when I heard of her loss. I spent much time with her family before finally meeting up with her. Debbie asked me if I would stay the weekend with her and the family to help get her through all the coming events and I was more than willing to be there.

Our Memorial Day weekend wasn’t what we thought it was going to be but it was more than we expected. Hugh passed away on my Daddy’s birthday so I will remember that each year and he was buried on “Cousin” Lee’s birthday so we will remember that too.

My role this weekend was to comfort the grieving. How did I do that? Well, I was there for Debbie as much as I could be. I allowed her to cry on my shoulder as we reminisced about the many beautiful memories she had of her brother. I sat up with her every evening as we contemplated what the next day would behold for her and the family. I took pictures, shared stories, entertained children and reminded them all that Hugh was where we all wanted to be.

When we get a glimpse of Heaven we long to go there. Would you dare ask the Lord to send that special person back when you know how beautiful Heaven must be? I would not.

I love knowing that Hugh is now in a more peaceful place. He is no longer suffering because the Lord has made him whole. He is no longer in pain because the Lord has given him a glorified body that can walk the streets of gold, sit beside the crystal waters and envision of a picture of loveliness. Yes, Hugh is now living a reality that our mind can only dream of. And he is beholding the face of our Savior and all things have become new to him.

Don’t be angry with God when He calls another loved one home. He loans His precious children to those on Earth and has a plan for each and every one of them. Someday you will take that final journey and you will cross over Jordan. You shall be reunited with all your friends and loved ones and you shall behold the face of God and you will look into His nail-scarred hands as He welcomes you with open arms. And in that final embrace you shall hear him say, “Welcome home my child. The journey was long and sometimes weary. You can now lay down your sword and shield and you can rest in me for all eternity.”

When you are sad and lonely and the tears begin to fall just remember that Jesus does care. Tears are a language God understands. He can comfort you in a way that no mortal man can. Take it to the Lord in prayer and know that He is working things out for the best for you.

Remember the words from the Crabb Family in I Sure Miss You.

Verse I
If life could only bring again, the days I took for granted when
To hear your voice was just a call away
Oh what I'd give for just some time, to say the things that slipped my mind
There's so much now I'd really like to say
But I can never go back when we did the things we did back then
I'll store those precious memories in my mind
I'll take what you've instilled in me;
I'll try to be all I can be
And walk the path that you have left behind

Chorus
I sure miss you; my life will never be the same with you not here
Each passing day has brought much pain
But with God's grace my strength remains
I sure miss you, but heaven's sweeter with you there

Verse II
The little things that seemed so small, like gold in a memory vault
I cherish every one I have of you
Now I can see and recognize the part you played to shape my life
I often see you in the things I do
In God's design and master plan He saw the hurting hearts of man
As we would say goodbye to those so dear
So with our family and friends we'll be together once again
We'll view all Heaven's splendor hand in hand

Repeat Chorus

In preparation for the funeral the family was asked to write down some memories of their son and brother. While I was speaking with Debbie we began to reminisce about one really fond memory I had of her brother. I'm guessing that no one ever knew this story except for Debbie.

Her parents were going on a vacation and asked her to pick the vegetables from the garden. She invited me to spend the week with her to help her out. I didn't hesitate to say yes because she is my best friend and that just meant another opportunity for me to visit with her. Well, one day we were in the garden and Hugh came down to help. We began working in the field and at some point I realized that Debbie wanted to have a private talk with her brother so I wandered off on my own little adventure. It's a big deal for a city girl to be in the country so I was exploring every plant, bug, etc.

Well, it was then I noticed it. A blade of grass was moving about but it wasn't the wind blowing it. There were two grasshoppers on top of each other! Yes, they were making out and I'm not sure why but this really got the best of me. I pulled the grass out of the ground and these grasshoppers just kept doing the deed. I took it to Debbie and Hugh and they both burst out laughing when they realized "why" I was showing them these two grasshoppers. Hugh was beside himself in tears and wanted me to keep the grasshoppers. So he went into Papa's storage building and got me an empty mason jar. We put the grasshoppers with some extra grass into the jar and Hugh sealed it and poked holes in the lid. We resumed working in the field and every once in a while we would go back to the jar to check on the grasshoppers. They were still going at it and I'll never forget Hugh saying, "They are either having fun or they are stuck!" We laughed until we were crying.

The other night Debbie and I were reminiscing and we both remembered that day. To anyone else it may not have been that significant but to us it became a precious memory.

Thank you to all my friends and loved ones who prayed for Debbie and her family. I know there will be many more difficult days ahead but they will not be alone. God will be with them every step of the way and after the rain the sunshine will peak thru the clouds and we will know there are brighter days ahead. God is and has always been in control!

Farewell to Natasha Richardson (1963-2009)

This morning on the way to work I cried as I thought about the passing of Natasha Richardson. I didn't cry because I lost a friend or loved one. I cried because that's what I do when things don't quite make sense to me. I cried because my heart went out to the many friends and loved ones who were mourning her and I cried because I realized it could have been one of my friends or loved ones.

Like so many around the world I was in shock when I heard about the accident. She was on a bunny slope. She fell down a slope that millions of children have probably fallen down. Was she being stupid or foolish? No! Was it lack of common sense that she didn't have a helmet on? I don't think so--I have never seen anyone wearing a helmet at a ski resort. I fell down a beginner slope and got separated from my youth group for several hours and vowed I would never ski again. It was just a sad and unfortunate event.

I had a gut wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach that she wasn't going to make it. I cried when I read Liz Smith's column Tuesday that she was brain dead and I cried again last night when I heard Joan Rivers declare on CNN that she was only kept on life support so that her boys could see her alive to bid their farewells.

I probably never really knew who Natasha Richardson was until I watched the 1998 remake of Parent Trap. I loved her personality--she was young and vibrant. She was beautiful and her role as Lindsay Lohan's mother just came natural to her. I think she would have played the role perfectly even if there wasn't a script. I think it could have been given to her hands down without an audition. Richardson was someone who loved people and life. I loved watching her act and she will be greatly missed.

The media has declared this a freak accident. The autopsy revealed it was an accident sustained by serious injury to the brain upon impact. But what the world calls an accident the Lord declares to be part of His plan. With God there are no mistakes. It wasn't a mistake that she got on that bunny slope and fell. It wasn't a mistake that she sustained an injury. It was part of a bigger plan. I know many are asking, "why?" Why now? Why her? Why did it have to end this way?

As a Christian I have learned that there are many questions that I will never know the answers to. That is, until I meet the Lord. I can't always understand God's ways--His ways supercede my greatest expectations. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to the trials and tragedies that mankind experiences but be patient and wait upon the Lord. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

To the family I would say cherish the memories you have of a fun, multi-talented and loving daughter (Vanessa Redgrave), sister (Joely Richardson), niece (Lynn Redgrave), wife (Liam) and mother (Michael and Daniel). To the boys just remember this: You lived under her heart for 9 months and now she shall forever live within yours. Gone but not forgotten--she shall be remembered. YOU, the family may be her greatest legacy.

Don't begrudge the Lord for welcoming another angel home. Don't try to live in the past because you can't revisit it and don't be angry about a future that never happened. Enjoy today. You have this moment to make a difference, to dance in the rain, to blow bubbles in the wind, to make snow angels, to throw caution to the wind and have the adventure of a lifetime. I believe that is how Natasha Richardson would want it.

Weep for her today because you miss her and are grieving but as the tears fall and the nights get cold and lonely turn your face toward Heaven. Natasha was a star here on earth--she reigned in Hollywood and Broadway. Now she is a star in the greatest story ever known to man. An Eskimo legend declares this:

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

Let the Lord comfort you in a way no mortal man can. He cares for you. Tears are a language God understands and when answers aren't enough there is Jesus.

In closing I would like to share a poem that I heard on an episode of Little House On the Prairie:

Remember me with smiles and laughter. For that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears. Then don't remember me at all.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and I know I will shed more tears in the days to come but my refuge is in the Lord--praise God the Comforter has come! To the Lord we just say thanks for sharing this special person with us for 45 years.

To my family, friends and fellow bloggers. Don't let a day go by without telling someone how much you love and appreciate them. It might be the last opportunity. Tomorrow may never come. Take care and God bless.