When I was a child, we sang a song in church titled "No Tears in Heaven". I loved the harmony (Church of Christ members do not use instrumental music at all; it's purely acapella, so good harmony is important). But I didn't realize back then how much the words meant:
No tears in heaven, no sorrow given
All will be glory in that land
They’ll be no sadness, all will be gladness
When we shall join that happy band
Chorus:
(And they’ll be) No tears (in heaven fair), no tears, no tears up there
Sorrow and pain will all have flown
(And they’ll be) No tears (in heaven fair), no tears, no tears up there
No tears in heaven will be known
Some morning yonder, we’ll cease to ponder
For things this life has brought to view
All will be clearer, saved ones be dearer
In heaven where all will be made new
No tears, no sadness, no pain, no sorrow. Just gladness, glory, and reunion with those we love. That's what I hold on to when loved ones leave this earth, and tonight, I'm imagining what it must be like there for a beautiful young lady named Terry. She was one of the Lighthouse retreat kids in my "flip flop" group last year, and her road was a hard one. She had undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver, and it just kept coming back, over and over. But Terry was a battler, and for 7 years she fought back against the beast. Last night, she gracefully laid down her weapons, took off her armor, and walked into Jesus' arms. She is home, and she is safe, whole, and pain-free. But her beautiful mother and sisters are not; they have a whole new battle ahead of them. Terry is the cutie on the right in the picture; after a week filled with pain and exhaustion, she insisted that she WOULD be a part of our skit at Talent night. And she was a hit, just as I know that she's a hit in Heaven now. It was an honor to spend time with Terry, the warrior princess, and I ask now that you lift up her mom and sisters in prayer. Godspeed, sweet girl...
(Update: after reading Sue G's comment, I did want to say that at the Lighthouse, we never say "goodbye" at the end of the week. We simply say "See you later!", believing that we will.)
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5 kind comments:
First, I'm so sorry for your loss. So sad but how wonderful to know without a shadow of a doubt where she is now and that she is whole and happy in Christ! ((hugs))
But I just popped by from Ree's 'cause I can actually answer part of your question to her.
I'm Ree's "Prize Wrangler." :^D A very fun job... someone once said, I'm like Ree's Bob Barker. Yup. That about sums it up. ;^P
God bless!
What a beautiful tribute to her. Pam - you did well by her.
And how wonderful to be dancing with Jesus right now.
Praying comfort for her mom and sister... it is never easy.
(and do NOT tell me that the first comment is about THE Ree? :)
Thank you for honoring Terry's life so beautifully with your words. What a lovely young lady, happy, healed and healthy--in heaven!
Becky
I am searching my soul for words of encouragement and support. And, for once, none come. Perhaps it is because I have been awake since 3 a.m. and am just very tired. Or perhaps it is because I am even more weary of losing beautiful children to this insidious disease...bright lights snuffed out much too quickly, robbed of their promise and potential. Yes, I am tired of children having to fight so hard to live. And yes, I am even more tired that fighting so valiantly doesn't always mean they win the battle with the Beast. At least not on earth. I am sick and tired of pediatric cancer. Plain and simple.
As a Christian, I am grateful of the assurance that Terry is alive and well in Christ. I am grateful that even though her longevity on earth was denied, her eternal life is secure. I am grateful that the hope and promise of her life here may have been abbreviated, but the unlimited expectation of her potential in her eternal life with Christ will last beyond our interpretation of forever.
I think perhaps I am just tired of saying goodbye. And I am thinking that from now on I will merely say, "Until we meet again."
Because we will.
I am very sorry for your loss, but it is definitely heavens gain.
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