A couple of days ago I woke up with the song “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” in my head. Interesting. Obviously I’d heard it before, but it was WAY BACK in my memory archives. I found it and listened to various version while on my morning walk. Sang it all that day. Shared it on FaceBook thinking I may have a friend who needed to hear it. Three days ago I didn’t even think I knew this song, but now singing it brings tears to my eyes. It’s become to me a song of prayer for my aunt and uncle, and also a reminder to myself that this physical life is temporary.
I’ve known that my aunt was fighting cancer, but I thought she was doing ok after surgery. She had to wait for continued treatment due to Covid-19. Then an unrelated medication caused her liver to shut down. It came on suddenly. I’m not even sure at this minute if she is still alive on this earth. I cannot be there with the family because of this whole virus thing.
I believe my aunt has trusted in Jesus to save her and when her time has come will exit this world and step into eternity with her Lord. I expect to see her again on the other side. I imagine her happiness at being reunited with her mom, my grandma. I imagine her in absolute peace and contentment, having come before the Father, faced his judgment and been found spotless because she was washed in the blood of Jesus.
In singing this song, part of me is crying because of God’s grace on my life and on my aunt’s life. I have found favor with the Almighty Creator of the universe. It’s not that I deserved anything. It’s not my own goodness. I have been privileged to experience God’s goodness because he chose me. It hurts to imagine people who don’t have that bedrock under their lives.
While part of me cries tears of gratitude, another part of me cries over my uncle who is losing the one he loves. I wish I could be there. I want to give him a big hug and tell him I love him in person. As this song plays over and over in my head, prayers for my uncle rise to heaven. I want him to know that he is not alone, even when she is gone from this earth. My tears cry out to the Lord that he comfort my beloved uncle.
“Build your hopes on things eternal.” When this line came to my mind again in prayer this morning, I started thinking of the wildflowers I’ve been photographing. They are here for a few days or perhaps a few weeks, then they are gone until next spring. Their beauty fades. I enjoy it while I can.
It set me out searching for related verses.
“Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:3-4
This morning I write to remind myself and to share with my friends. This earthly life is temporary. May we all build our hopes on things eternal.
To the Ends of the Earth 