Tags
death, family, grandparents, gratitude, Him and me, rejoicing, salvation
When the snow finally comes to Iowa, it is a cold day in early February, and it blows in and covers the ground and coats stalks and branches and clotheslines and fences with its icy loveliness.
It is a week since Grandpa last breathed, and in that time I have flown from the midwest to the northeast and back again. I have hugged and cried and hugged and wept and said goodbye to a shell of dust.
And as the snow makes everything white and new and beautiful, I remember my grandfather and I know that he has been made new and beautiful in the presence of his Savior. Eighty years he lived without Jesus, and then, in a moment of merciful clarity from the disease that ravaged his brain, he saw his need and he asked God to save him. And the God who takes dust in the air and turns it to snowflakes is the same God who takes the dust of our humanity and turns it into beauty.
I will remember my grandfather making ice cream in his garage, and I will remember the way his gruff kisses felt on my cheek, and I will remember how patiently he taught hopeless me to drive his riding lawnmower, and I will remember these things and cry because that man is gone from my life on this earth.
But I will rejoice even in my tears, because a God of mercy allowed my grandfather a few moments to know Him, and because I know I will see my grandpa again and he will be whole and beautiful as only God can make a man.
The trees lift barren branches to heaven in an offering of silent praise, and God covers them with white and I know this: He is a God who makes beauty from ashes and dust.
And so I give thanks.
Im sorry for your loss, he sounds like he was a neat guy. Thats so amazing though, that your Grandpa accepted Christ right at the end of his life, praise the Lord!
Rejoicing with you through tears and sadness.
Tears of pain and joy for all of you. Love and prayers continuing.
Carolyn
When we know where they go it helps. A little.
This makes me want to dance in the snow…
glad to hear that he came around…
beautiful. “And the God who takes dust in the air and turns it to snowflakes is the same God who takes the dust of our humanity and turns it into beauty.” i need this hope for too many of my own family members.
A few moments to know Him? Oh no. A brief, wonderful invitation to an eternity knowing Him.
This post makes me joyful, Erin. It goes way deep, and there’s so much HOME here…
I am sorry for your loss, it’s so sad to lose a grandparent and although you will see him again, it’s good to grieve and just be.