My wife and returned from my recent Sabbatical to discover that more than one of the people we have grown to love and cherish in our church family has now gone to be with the Lord. Our hearts goes out to their individual family members, as well as to their extended church family.
For this reason, I wanted to use my blog today to offer a brief word of encouragement and comfort by sharing something that I recently came across. While visiting the chaplain’s office at a local hospital just up the road, I encountered the following piece framed and hanging on the wall.
No doubt, the chaplain had placed it there for the same reason I post it here today: in the hopes that it will speak to the hearts of all those who have lost loved ones and whose hearts are heavy as a result.
THE FALLEN LIMB
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again."
Unfortunately, the author of this beloved poem appears to be unknown. Nonetheless, the message he or she was inspired to write is profound.
On behalf of all individuals everywhere who mourn this day, I pray they are comforted with the reminder that all who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will one day be rewarded with eternal life in a place where there will be neither sickness nor sorrow. And also with the thought that, in accordance with His word, our God Himself will one day wipe away every tear from our eyes!
I conclude with the same words as did the Apostle John in his New Testament Book of Revelation (22:20), written just after he had been privileged to glimpse that wonderful place we call Heaven: "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus."
NOTE: This and many other very touching memorial poems can be found at: http://elegantmemorials.com/memorial-poems.
For this reason, I wanted to use my blog today to offer a brief word of encouragement and comfort by sharing something that I recently came across. While visiting the chaplain’s office at a local hospital just up the road, I encountered the following piece framed and hanging on the wall.
No doubt, the chaplain had placed it there for the same reason I post it here today: in the hopes that it will speak to the hearts of all those who have lost loved ones and whose hearts are heavy as a result.
THE FALLEN LIMB
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again."
Unfortunately, the author of this beloved poem appears to be unknown. Nonetheless, the message he or she was inspired to write is profound.
On behalf of all individuals everywhere who mourn this day, I pray they are comforted with the reminder that all who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will one day be rewarded with eternal life in a place where there will be neither sickness nor sorrow. And also with the thought that, in accordance with His word, our God Himself will one day wipe away every tear from our eyes!
I conclude with the same words as did the Apostle John in his New Testament Book of Revelation (22:20), written just after he had been privileged to glimpse that wonderful place we call Heaven: "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus."
NOTE: This and many other very touching memorial poems can be found at: http://elegantmemorials.com/memorial-poems.