It is tantalizing.
With all that it holds and with all that it promises- heaven is something I long to grasp. A member in our church passed away on Monday morning and I am sure that my former Pastor welcomed him home. The sky started to darken as we gathered at the church yesterday afternoon. Ryan and I slowly walked up the steps to the church and as we passed through the doors I felt as though my soul began wailing. The flowers were gorgeous, Jason teased the piano keys in a hauntingly beautiful way, and Natalie sang It Is Well With My Soul so that chills ran up and down my back. Pastor Jeff did an absolute superb job in speaking to a family that was torn with grief from losing a granddaughter last week and now a grandfather.
As we left the church, Ryan marveled at how respectful the community was. Traffic stopped for miles as we wove our way to the cemetery. My eyes were already red with tears but when I saw the Marines begin their ceremony, I thought I would lose it. There is something absolutely breathtaking about the rites for a former Marine. Words seem to fail after a time like that, so we listened to a piano piece as we slowly drove home.
A few hours later, we gathered again for the evening service. Hearts were tender, eyes were red, and hugs seemed a bit longer. Pastor Jeff understands the fascinating ability of singing to heal the soul, so we sang for an hour. When the words of In The Sweet By and By began echoing through the church, I felt my tears pouring.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.