The
Vigil
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3
Every room in the house was full.
Family and friends smiled and laughed while keenly aware of the
common bond that brought them here. They were holding vigil, awaiting
the passing of the patriarch of the family who held a special place
in each of their hearts. They had come to share in the final hours of
his life. Looking at each face you just knew they were remembering
the good times past…offsetting the sadness of today.
Throughout the house, children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren laughed and told jokes as they
shared an informal lunch; and all of this his wife of sixty-six years
absorbed from the couch by his bed.
These were his descendants, the linage
that would carry on; his heritage and reward from the Lord. His love
for each compelled them to come and be close at this time.
Had you walked into the house without
knowledge of the circumstances you might have thought it was a party,
for they understood that this transition was to be celebrated more
than mourned. Yes, they would miss him, but the knowledge of his
destination outweighed the sorrow, at least for today, for he was
headed Home to see Jesus!
†
There could be no greater epitaph than
to be surrounded by our children and offspring as we go home to be
with Jesus, listening to them celebrate our transition from this life
into the fullness of joy that awaits every believer and follower of
Jesus Christ. Such an image is testament to a life well-lived and a
family well-loved, through good times and bad.
This comes from loving with abandon
those who we have been charged by the Lord to care for in the short
time we are here on Earth. James 4:14 says we are a mist that appears
for a little while and then vanishes. This phase of life is short.
Eternity awaits us.
If you’re not sure that this would be
the scene around your death bed, make every effort to set things
right so that your passing from here into eternity will bring
celebration and not a veil of sorrow and regret.
Prayer
“Thank You, Father God,
for my children. They truly are my heritage and reward. Thank You for
always watching over them. Amen.”
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