My traveling and keeping up with things don't mix. During three extended trips lately, I not only left my electric toothbrush and my favorite pillow at one son's house, I repeated the blooper with the replacement pillow we had bought. This time I left it on a motel bed where I had enjoyed a night's sleep!
On one return trip recently, I remembered that I had forgotten my computer power cord, plugged into the wall at our overnight lodging! More money spent on a new cord!
"I can't find my brush!" I said to Howard as I searched my purse after leaving a grandson's house. They had graciously put us up, saving a hotel fee while we were in town for his brother's services. I remembered laying the recently-bought, pricey hairbrush on top of my purse, to pack at the last minute. It must have rolled off and I didn't notice. Not only that, an expensive (for a comb) styling comb is missing. I kept thinking it was in the other purse I brought, but obviously it is lost.
"We missed a call," my husband said on our first night home. I dialed the unfamiliar number and got a voice mail in a foreign accent saying, "Did you leave a pair of glasses in your room when you stayed here?" I recognized the voice of the desk attendant in lodgings ran by a family from India. Since the sunglasses I had just bought with birthday money were missing, I called back. They were not sunglasses, so I knew they were just a pair of dollar readers. I told her not to worry about it. The sunglasses are still missing.
I pack as carefully as I can, but we had only just returned from a wedding trip when we had to repack for the sad occasion of our grandson's funeral. Everything was ready the night before, so we could leave bright and early the next morning. I trusted my husband to get the clothes he needed, but when it was time to dress for the solemn event, he found he had not brought the dress shirt he had laid out. It was hanging on a chair when we got home. Most people there were in somber black, but he wore a short-sleeve, tan, summer shirt . Then he was asked to say a few words. I think his heartfelt words made up for any dress faux pas, however.
One of the most important things we left was a carton of gold nuggets. Not really, just a dozen eggs that our daughter had sent with us, courtesy of a friend at work who had given her several dozen farm-fresh eggs. "They will be fine in the air-conditioned car," I told Amy. We even took them into the motel room and put them in the refrigerator. And there they still are, unless the cleaning lady took them home and enjoyed a special treat of golden, scrambled eggs!
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Twenty-eight balloons. I was clueless about the number of balloons released at our grandson's graveside rites. I just knew there was a bunch, but of course it made sense that there was one for each of his 28 years. These weightless, shiny orbs floated upward until they were out of sight, symbolizing Joshua's spirit going to heaven, lightening for a moment the weight of heavy hearts below.
How appropriate, really. The Bible says in James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away."
Joshua loved balloons. I recall a time when he was a little over 2 years old and his sister Bethany was 16 months. I worked at our church as office secretary, and for Secretaries' Day, I had received a beautiful pot of red tulips with a shiny, red, Mylar balloon attached. It was heart-shaped, if I remember right. I kept the arrangement out of the grandchildren's reach, though they eyed the tantalizing balloon whenever they came over.
When I noticed that the balloon seemed to be deflating a little, I took it down and offered it to the babies to play with. Bethany grabbed it, and in one fell swoop, expertly looped the string around her hand and dashed off with the prize, leaving a slightly baffled Joshua looking on. All I could see was a blur of blonde curls and a streak of red as she made her way around the dining room table, on past the kitchen and into the den, squealing, "B'oon! B'oon!" She had a red balloon and she wasn't letting go.
Then her feminine, mothering self surfaced, and she brought the balloon back to her big brother, forcibly thrusting it from her chest into his welcoming arms! She gave him her heart! And he had it for the rest of his life. They were extremely close. She has said he was her first playmate, first teacher and first friend.
Bethany married and has a family. Joshua never married. After the funeral, Bethany confided to me, "Mimi, all of us kids have had our special days when we were the center of attention. Our weddings were big celebrations like a big party. Josh never had that." I listened, and she went on, "All the people who turned out today, some from very far away, coming to show their respects to Joshua...I feel like he would have enjoyed it, like it was his party."
I had to agree, especially as my heart swelled with emotion as I saw the very long line of cars following the hearse to his final resting place on this earth. And it was a wedding, of sorts, for Joshua was going to meet the heavenly bridegroom. Perhaps there would even be balloons!
How appropriate, really. The Bible says in James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away."
Joshua loved balloons. I recall a time when he was a little over 2 years old and his sister Bethany was 16 months. I worked at our church as office secretary, and for Secretaries' Day, I had received a beautiful pot of red tulips with a shiny, red, Mylar balloon attached. It was heart-shaped, if I remember right. I kept the arrangement out of the grandchildren's reach, though they eyed the tantalizing balloon whenever they came over.
When I noticed that the balloon seemed to be deflating a little, I took it down and offered it to the babies to play with. Bethany grabbed it, and in one fell swoop, expertly looped the string around her hand and dashed off with the prize, leaving a slightly baffled Joshua looking on. All I could see was a blur of blonde curls and a streak of red as she made her way around the dining room table, on past the kitchen and into the den, squealing, "B'oon! B'oon!" She had a red balloon and she wasn't letting go.
Then her feminine, mothering self surfaced, and she brought the balloon back to her big brother, forcibly thrusting it from her chest into his welcoming arms! She gave him her heart! And he had it for the rest of his life. They were extremely close. She has said he was her first playmate, first teacher and first friend.
Bethany married and has a family. Joshua never married. After the funeral, Bethany confided to me, "Mimi, all of us kids have had our special days when we were the center of attention. Our weddings were big celebrations like a big party. Josh never had that." I listened, and she went on, "All the people who turned out today, some from very far away, coming to show their respects to Joshua...I feel like he would have enjoyed it, like it was his party."
I had to agree, especially as my heart swelled with emotion as I saw the very long line of cars following the hearse to his final resting place on this earth. And it was a wedding, of sorts, for Joshua was going to meet the heavenly bridegroom. Perhaps there would even be balloons!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Traveling On
Road Work! How often would we see that sign on our journey across four states, going to and coming from a loved one's funeral. Sometimes the wait from a clog of traffic merging into a single lane seemed interminable. But it inevitably cleared up, if only to happen again a few miles down the road!
In order to avoid Tulsa, where we had often encountered detours that our GPS knew nothing about, my husband suggested a back way, and I agreed. It took longer, and the way was not always smooth. But once we got on I-40, we were set for the remainder of the trip. But first, we had to face the gauntlet of traffic in the corridor between Memphis and Little Rock. It is a nightmare of trucks and speeding vehicles, almost bumper to bumper.
"This is my kind of driving," Howard said when we'd had a reprieve by skirting Nashville. We'd never taken this shortcut before, but the route was a pleasant one of scenic hills and valleys with sparse traffic. It was a far cry from the steep mountain grades we'd been on earlier. The runaway truck ramps spoke for themselves as the gravel-covered emergency escape lanes ending on a hill or incline stopped trucks when brakes failed.
These scenarios remind me of our journey through life, when it seems we are frequently experiencing road work! Even for Christians, the road is not always smooth. Marriages have rough patches. Families go through things. And it often seems as soon as one crisis is over, another one appears.
How wonderful when we have periods of smooth sailing! The hills and valleys of life can be sweet as we experience God's blessings and times of rest. Psalm 84:5-6 says, "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them, Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools."
In other words, when we go through the valley of weeping, which is what Baca means, we can make it a well to collect God's showers of blessings instead of a place of desolation and arid ground. Our family has had the loss of a loved one recently when our oldest grandchild passed away unexpectedly. We have been in a valley of weeping. But we take comfort in remembering the good times of Joshua's life, and especially in the knowledge that he is in a perfect place with his Savior now.
Sometimes it seems difficulties come as thick and fast as runaway trucks in steep mountains of trouble. But God has provided an escape lane. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world..." II Peter 1:4.
We can take heart, going from strength to strength (Psalm 84:5) and glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Now that is a glory road!
In order to avoid Tulsa, where we had often encountered detours that our GPS knew nothing about, my husband suggested a back way, and I agreed. It took longer, and the way was not always smooth. But once we got on I-40, we were set for the remainder of the trip. But first, we had to face the gauntlet of traffic in the corridor between Memphis and Little Rock. It is a nightmare of trucks and speeding vehicles, almost bumper to bumper.
"This is my kind of driving," Howard said when we'd had a reprieve by skirting Nashville. We'd never taken this shortcut before, but the route was a pleasant one of scenic hills and valleys with sparse traffic. It was a far cry from the steep mountain grades we'd been on earlier. The runaway truck ramps spoke for themselves as the gravel-covered emergency escape lanes ending on a hill or incline stopped trucks when brakes failed.
These scenarios remind me of our journey through life, when it seems we are frequently experiencing road work! Even for Christians, the road is not always smooth. Marriages have rough patches. Families go through things. And it often seems as soon as one crisis is over, another one appears.
How wonderful when we have periods of smooth sailing! The hills and valleys of life can be sweet as we experience God's blessings and times of rest. Psalm 84:5-6 says, "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them, Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools."
In other words, when we go through the valley of weeping, which is what Baca means, we can make it a well to collect God's showers of blessings instead of a place of desolation and arid ground. Our family has had the loss of a loved one recently when our oldest grandchild passed away unexpectedly. We have been in a valley of weeping. But we take comfort in remembering the good times of Joshua's life, and especially in the knowledge that he is in a perfect place with his Savior now.
Sometimes it seems difficulties come as thick and fast as runaway trucks in steep mountains of trouble. But God has provided an escape lane. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world..." II Peter 1:4.
We can take heart, going from strength to strength (Psalm 84:5) and glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Now that is a glory road!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Climbing Higher
"Have you ever climbed a tree?" I asked my 3- and 4-year old grandchildren, Bethany and Joshua. I had been trying to entertain them on that long-ago afternoon in Mississippi. We had toured the yard, admiring the flowers and listening to the birds when I spotted the Magnolia tree.
"We don't know how, Mimi," they said in unison. I placed their hands on the friendly, low branches of the tree and showed them how to reach for another low, smooth limb. Soon they had stretched themselves up and were sitting astride a sturdy arm of the tree.
"This is fun," they chortled. After a little more of the strenuous exercise, I had to get them down from nature's jungle gym, especially when Bethany became a little too adventurous.
We loved our magnolias, one of which stood on either side of the long driveway. Our children and their friends had grown up climbing this particular tree, the evenly spaced branches giving easy access to the perfect hide-outs and look-out views higher up. When one playmate moved away to England, he closed one of his letters to our son with the poignant words, "Climb the magnolia tree for me."
Not only did the trees have creamy-white fragrant flowers enjoyed in June, the green, glossy leaves surrounding them made wonderful garlands and mantel decor during the winter holidays. I learned that green was Joshua's favorite color only last week. We were at the graveside rites following his funeral. I had wondered about the clutch of balloons waiting in a corner of the funeral chapel. I found out that they were to be released at the close of the service.
"What is the significance of the green balloons?" I asked one of Josh's brothers, to which he answered, "Green was Joshua's favorite color." I never knew this! Caleb told me that as children, whenever they chose a color for something--candies, shirts, etc., that Joshua always chose green while the other siblings had their favorites, which was a given. There were silver balloons, as well.
Soft voices singing to the strumming of a guitar blended with the gentle patter of rain on the tent shelter where we gathered for our final goodbyes. It was as if the balloons floated away on the sweet notes of the music still in the air. Higher and higher went the green balloons, interspersed with flashes of silver. We watched until they were out of sight.
Psalm 52:8 says, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever."
Joshua had stretched and grown and climbed his tree of life. He was like a tree planted by the water, Jeremiah 17:8. Now he is in the place of which scripture speaks: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life..." Revelation 22:2.
"We don't know how, Mimi," they said in unison. I placed their hands on the friendly, low branches of the tree and showed them how to reach for another low, smooth limb. Soon they had stretched themselves up and were sitting astride a sturdy arm of the tree.
"This is fun," they chortled. After a little more of the strenuous exercise, I had to get them down from nature's jungle gym, especially when Bethany became a little too adventurous.
We loved our magnolias, one of which stood on either side of the long driveway. Our children and their friends had grown up climbing this particular tree, the evenly spaced branches giving easy access to the perfect hide-outs and look-out views higher up. When one playmate moved away to England, he closed one of his letters to our son with the poignant words, "Climb the magnolia tree for me."
Not only did the trees have creamy-white fragrant flowers enjoyed in June, the green, glossy leaves surrounding them made wonderful garlands and mantel decor during the winter holidays. I learned that green was Joshua's favorite color only last week. We were at the graveside rites following his funeral. I had wondered about the clutch of balloons waiting in a corner of the funeral chapel. I found out that they were to be released at the close of the service.
"What is the significance of the green balloons?" I asked one of Josh's brothers, to which he answered, "Green was Joshua's favorite color." I never knew this! Caleb told me that as children, whenever they chose a color for something--candies, shirts, etc., that Joshua always chose green while the other siblings had their favorites, which was a given. There were silver balloons, as well.
Soft voices singing to the strumming of a guitar blended with the gentle patter of rain on the tent shelter where we gathered for our final goodbyes. It was as if the balloons floated away on the sweet notes of the music still in the air. Higher and higher went the green balloons, interspersed with flashes of silver. We watched until they were out of sight.
Psalm 52:8 says, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever."
Joshua had stretched and grown and climbed his tree of life. He was like a tree planted by the water, Jeremiah 17:8. Now he is in the place of which scripture speaks: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life..." Revelation 22:2.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Animal Farm
"I don't see the goats," I observed as we drove into the farm yard on Howard's daily trek to tend his prize possessions. They had been getting out of their enclosure, despite our repeated attempts to block every vulnerable possibility in the fence. We were prepared for the eventuality that the young kids had wandered off and gotten lost.
Just then I thought I was seeing an apparition as a white, feathery ball tumbled out of a tree! It was followed by a black-and-white bundle. The goats! They had emerged from the canopy of leaves and were now trotting nimbly down the slanted trunk! I burst out laughing at their antics! They ran to us eagerly, happy to see us.
We were preparing to go out of town on the somber mission to our grandson's funeral after the 28-year-old's untimely passing. My husband had scheduled a man to look after the goats periodically, but first we secured their pen once again. That didn't prevent a couple of calls to Tennessee with the tidings that the escape artists were at it again. They were put finally in a grassy area where, at last notice, they were content and well-contained.
On our way home, we have been visiting with our daughter, Amy, in Georgia. When we arrived late one night, I was surprised to see their long-time pet, Scamp, happily coming to greet us. The last I heard, he was on his last legs, so to speak, waylaid by a mysterious illness. But in the darkness he looked as fit as I remembered.
In answer to my queries the next day, Amy related the saga of Scamp's turnaround. He had been pitifully ill, not responding to any treatment, and they were regretfully considering the option of having the 12-year-old dog put down. The kids protested, but everyone knew their beloved pet was dying.
Then one day her husband announced: "Scamp is not going to die." Then he confessed that, unable to see him suffer any longer, he had given the dog a massive dose of muscle relaxers and pain pills, confident Scamp would be out of his misery we he got back. He was astounded to see Scamp up and around, if drunkenly staggering, when the family returned from church! Scamp has continued to improve daily, and except for arthritic stiffness, he is every bit his old self!
Animals are a marvel and a mystery. In Scamp's case, I guess the old adage, "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," is true. I only hope that is true of us and our goats!
Just then I thought I was seeing an apparition as a white, feathery ball tumbled out of a tree! It was followed by a black-and-white bundle. The goats! They had emerged from the canopy of leaves and were now trotting nimbly down the slanted trunk! I burst out laughing at their antics! They ran to us eagerly, happy to see us.
We were preparing to go out of town on the somber mission to our grandson's funeral after the 28-year-old's untimely passing. My husband had scheduled a man to look after the goats periodically, but first we secured their pen once again. That didn't prevent a couple of calls to Tennessee with the tidings that the escape artists were at it again. They were put finally in a grassy area where, at last notice, they were content and well-contained.
On our way home, we have been visiting with our daughter, Amy, in Georgia. When we arrived late one night, I was surprised to see their long-time pet, Scamp, happily coming to greet us. The last I heard, he was on his last legs, so to speak, waylaid by a mysterious illness. But in the darkness he looked as fit as I remembered.
In answer to my queries the next day, Amy related the saga of Scamp's turnaround. He had been pitifully ill, not responding to any treatment, and they were regretfully considering the option of having the 12-year-old dog put down. The kids protested, but everyone knew their beloved pet was dying.
Then one day her husband announced: "Scamp is not going to die." Then he confessed that, unable to see him suffer any longer, he had given the dog a massive dose of muscle relaxers and pain pills, confident Scamp would be out of his misery we he got back. He was astounded to see Scamp up and around, if drunkenly staggering, when the family returned from church! Scamp has continued to improve daily, and except for arthritic stiffness, he is every bit his old self!
Animals are a marvel and a mystery. In Scamp's case, I guess the old adage, "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," is true. I only hope that is true of us and our goats!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
His Light
"Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham. And I am one of them and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord!" I can just see Joshua as a little boy singing this children's song and doing the motions. "Right hand, left hand, turn around, sit down!" as he collapsed in a heap on the ground.
We were in the yard on this glorious autumn day for a family Thanksgiving in the south, and all the grandchildren were playing outside after the big meal. The video captured the memories. When the other kids dropped out of the singspiration for other pursuits, Joshua was the last man standing as his uncle plunked out the tune on the guitar.
The years flew swiftly, and as his brothers and sisters left home to establish families of their own, our grandson was left to be his father's helper and right hand man. Joshua especially liked feeding the chickens and gathering eggs. He had a special affinity for the animals he fed and cared for. The impressions they made on him were reflected in the artistic sculptures that flowed from the clay in his gifted hands.
Some people have the gift for noticing things. Josh was one of them. When I think about it, I realize that this is one of the great joys in life: to appreciate nature and its marvelous complexities. The elm tree that holds approximately six million leaves. The wonder of the intelligence and personality of animals. The miracle of food that pops out of the ground from a tiny seed.
All of God's creation is amazing. David says in Psalm 8:3, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him? and in Psalm 19:1-3, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."
Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."
Since Joshua couldn't go to his younger brother's wedding, he took Zachariah aside and prayed an eloquent prayer over him, asking for the Lord's blessing over his marriage, safety for his journey and health for his body. He quoted scripture over him and blessed him.
Now that Joshua is gone, we all realize what a blessing he was. Was he perfect? No. But he was endowed with special qualities and gifts given to him by his Creator. And he, himself, was a gift we were privileged to have for almost 29 years. We miss him.
We were in the yard on this glorious autumn day for a family Thanksgiving in the south, and all the grandchildren were playing outside after the big meal. The video captured the memories. When the other kids dropped out of the singspiration for other pursuits, Joshua was the last man standing as his uncle plunked out the tune on the guitar.
The years flew swiftly, and as his brothers and sisters left home to establish families of their own, our grandson was left to be his father's helper and right hand man. Joshua especially liked feeding the chickens and gathering eggs. He had a special affinity for the animals he fed and cared for. The impressions they made on him were reflected in the artistic sculptures that flowed from the clay in his gifted hands.
Some people have the gift for noticing things. Josh was one of them. When I think about it, I realize that this is one of the great joys in life: to appreciate nature and its marvelous complexities. The elm tree that holds approximately six million leaves. The wonder of the intelligence and personality of animals. The miracle of food that pops out of the ground from a tiny seed.
All of God's creation is amazing. David says in Psalm 8:3, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man that thou art mindful of him? and in Psalm 19:1-3, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."
Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."
Since Joshua couldn't go to his younger brother's wedding, he took Zachariah aside and prayed an eloquent prayer over him, asking for the Lord's blessing over his marriage, safety for his journey and health for his body. He quoted scripture over him and blessed him.
Now that Joshua is gone, we all realize what a blessing he was. Was he perfect? No. But he was endowed with special qualities and gifts given to him by his Creator. And he, himself, was a gift we were privileged to have for almost 29 years. We miss him.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
This Little Light of Mine
In the twinkling of an eye.. "How long does it take you to twinkle your eye?" my husband is fond of asking a congregation. A twinkle is not a blink. Eyes light up when they twinkle. "The light of the body is the eye," so says Matthew 6:22. When someone dies, we say their light has gone out.
Our grandson died in an instant, of natural causes, according to medical reports. He had gone inside to fetch something for his father, and when he didn't return, Steve went in to see what was taking so long. He found 28-year-old Joshua sitting in his chair, eyes open, but not breathing and without a pulse. There was no light in his eyes. He was gone! It happened so fast, he didn't even have time to blink his eyes!
In life, no doubt Joshua's eyes twinkled in merriment quite often. He loved to tell jokes, and I can just see his eyes light up when he came to the punch line! I'm sure his eyes twinkled and crinkled with laughter as he played with his four little nephews he loved so much. And nothing can make a hungry young man's eyes brighten like being called to supper by his mom.
What a spark must have lit up his eyes and lit up the room when a shining, heavenly being entered to take him to glory! His mother said his face looked angelic! He had even dressed for the occasion. Our daughter remarked at how nice he looked, dressed up for their homecoming after their trip to his brother's wedding, not knowing it would be his homecoming as well!
Joshua didn't like to ride in cars, after some anxiety attacks of late. But his journey to heaven would not be by automobile, but by the finest flight, with royal flight attendants! He may not have gone to his brother's wedding, but he would be present when the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) takes place!
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed," I Corinthians 15:51-52.
"So when this corruptible shall shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" I Corinthians 15:54, 55.
Our grandson died in an instant, of natural causes, according to medical reports. He had gone inside to fetch something for his father, and when he didn't return, Steve went in to see what was taking so long. He found 28-year-old Joshua sitting in his chair, eyes open, but not breathing and without a pulse. There was no light in his eyes. He was gone! It happened so fast, he didn't even have time to blink his eyes!
In life, no doubt Joshua's eyes twinkled in merriment quite often. He loved to tell jokes, and I can just see his eyes light up when he came to the punch line! I'm sure his eyes twinkled and crinkled with laughter as he played with his four little nephews he loved so much. And nothing can make a hungry young man's eyes brighten like being called to supper by his mom.
What a spark must have lit up his eyes and lit up the room when a shining, heavenly being entered to take him to glory! His mother said his face looked angelic! He had even dressed for the occasion. Our daughter remarked at how nice he looked, dressed up for their homecoming after their trip to his brother's wedding, not knowing it would be his homecoming as well!
Joshua didn't like to ride in cars, after some anxiety attacks of late. But his journey to heaven would not be by automobile, but by the finest flight, with royal flight attendants! He may not have gone to his brother's wedding, but he would be present when the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) takes place!
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed," I Corinthians 15:51-52.
"So when this corruptible shall shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" I Corinthians 15:54, 55.
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