God is Good

Tuesday May 13th in the evening , 10 minutes before we were headed to California - with the car completely packed and both kids ready to go, we received a phone call from Gabe's oldest brother that his mom (Lucy, Nana) passed away. There was no way we were going to drive so we put both kids in bed and bought plane tickets for the next morning.

I am having a hard time trying to think of what to write - so Gabe said that i can put up what he wrote and read for her funeral, i will try and write some more later:

Before hearing about mom on Tuesday we were actually getting ready to make our annual trip out to California to visit Nana and Papa. We had a big trip planned; Eli and Nana were both very excited. The car was packed and we were almost ready to go when we got the call.

We always look forward to our trips but after a week or two of visiting and traveling we’re ready and look forward to going back home. Traveling can be tiring and you’re always a little out of place. But there is something about coming home after traveling that’s very comforting. Home is where you can experience true rest.

I’m comforted in knowing that the moment mom left this world she was immediately with God.

Ps 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise

Ps 118:24

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad...

When she entered into the courts of the Lord, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was singing this song, and I don’t know if there will be ribbons or streamers there but if there are, she was probably waving one as she passed through His gates.

Philippians 3:20-21

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

1^st Peter reminds us that we are “Temporary residents and foreigners” here on earth.

Col. 1:13 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

And it was even revealed to our great forefather Abraham that this world is not our home and that even the land of Canaan was not the true land of promise.

Hebrews 11:9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

And later in chapter 13 the author writes

13:14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.

We will miss mom very much, but I rejoice that God saw fit to take her home. She no longer has to journey in a foreign land. There is no greater privilege than to be in his presence. She is now experiencing the most blessed comfort of perfect communion with Christ the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

I look forward to the day when my family and I will go home and join her in His presence.

If you are unable to rejoice with us that mom is now with God or if you are unable to wait with longing for the day when you will leave this earth to be with Him, I pray that you would seek God.

Isaiah 55:6

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

Matt. 7:14

"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

I pray that you would seek after God with your whole heart.

We praise God that mom is now relieved from the trials of this world and we look forward to the day when we will join her with our Lord in His courts, we too will be singing his praise as we pass through His gates.