No More Tears, No More Sorrow
by pamela spurling
We see in Psalms 116.15: "Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints."
Isn't it something that something we consider so difficult and
painful for us to experience is precious in the sight of the LORD! I am acutely aware of
this this afternoon... this is my father in law's birthday... and he is home today...
really home. We are all so blessed to have known him and to have been influenced by him.
We miss him today especially. Like I have shared with you in the past, he was a godly man,
a preacher and missionary for the LORD. He was a gentleman to me... I have told you how
this is so important. I write to you sometimes about how important reputation is and how
our lives influence others. In the book of Ecclesiastes we see this "A good name is
better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." (
7.1 )
So today here, we will share memories, but for today there will be
no presents and parties, no cake and ice cream with him... no candles. But! for him: no
pain and suffering. No cares or worries. No aches and pains. No frets and regrets. No
disputes or deadlines. No trials or temptations. No disappointment or disease. No sadness
or jealousy. No stealing or breaking in. No long days... sleepless nights. No more sermons
to preach [at least not here! :)] No more counseling... no more cloudy days... no more
rain. The fight is over... and for five months the angels have been rejoicing. Oh, how
could we ever wish him back!
Five months and this great man is missed the same. Oh, that
we would see as the LORD sees all this. The Lord Jesus was acquainted with all our trials
and grief's... that is why He and He alone could atone for our sins---the ultimate
sacrifice: the death of the cross where He suffered and bled and died. This is why dad
neither suffers nor toils with any of the above. Our Redeemer who rose again and sits at
the Right Hand of The Most High. Our Jesus. It is awe inspiring to think that this is
where dad is spending this birthday today. Oh what a day this must be.
My mother in law sent me the poem you will see at the end of this
message..... I know her heart is experiencing the bittersweet joy and thankfulness at the
remembrance of her husband of over 48 years. In reading the letters from family this
morning, I know they all are grieving today.
I'm sure my husband's grandmother is as
well, especially as she prepares to attend the funeral of her stepson tomorrow, now
out-living all her sons. [four of our fathers died within 9 months of one
another] As the cousins gather for that service tomorrow it will be shared
once again that the LORD is seeing fit to take all the dads home...and we'll all again
wonder out loud or to ourselves, "who's next?" I imagine that this message, and
anniversaries of deaths and other events trigger volumes of memories for you. I know that
many of you are acquainted with much grief and have endured the different losses that life
brings...and perhaps one of you is experiencing this pain particularly deeply at this
time. I pray for you right now that the LORD would comfort you and strengthen your heart.
I pray that you would be refreshed today. I trust Him to comfort and cheer you. The LORD
is faithful and His compassion's never fail---great is His faithfulness.
Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His
compassion's fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)
Great is Thy
faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided --
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided --
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided --
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~
The poem my mother in law sent... (thank you, mom, I love you.)
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
---author
unknown
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today for life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
you did some things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~()~
I pray the LORD will abundantly bless you and your family this
week as you endeavor to love and serve Him. May you have a welcome heart for the LORD.
pamela spurling ~ The Welcome Home ~ 2000
