The Homecoming

The night Grandmother died her nurse and my mother were keeping vigil in the bedroom, where she had been ill for so long. It was her 84th year. As they sat quietly through the night, mother began to hear music, like none she'd ever heard before. She asked the nurse, "Do you hear that gorgeous music?" But apparently it was not for everyone's ears. We are not all on the same wavelength; we are not all tuned to the same "band." After it continued on for some time, again Mother asked her companion if she, too, were not hearing it, for it was the most beautiful music she'd ever heard - "it sounded like angels." To this day she says that was the closest she's ever come to heaven.

The lady that lay dying was known to most of the town as "Miss Lillie," for she had taught school nearly 20 years before marrying and starting her own family. She and the "bachelor doctor," who would become her husband, had organized the first church in town, and she'd taught the first Sunday School classes. Over the years countless small children had been in her home weekly to sing and learn more about the Lord. Already in the vicinity of seventy when her first grandchildren were born, it was her hope to live long enough to teach us the names of the flowers. She did. Faith, flowers, and children, helping them to grow was her life. She was a very remarkable lady; so, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if God had sent a "band" to play at her "homecoming." While we wept at the loss, her passing was heaven's gain. There was surely great rejoicing with a "band of angels comin' fo' to carry her home."

Ecclesiastes 3.1 - There is a right time for everything: a time to be born and a time to die.

Psalm 90.10 - Seventy years are given to us! And some may even live to eighty.

Job 29.18 - Surely I shall die quietly in my bed after a long, good life.

2 Timothy 4.6-7 - My time has almost run out. Very soon now I will be on my way to heaven. I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to him. And now the time has come for me to stop fighting and rest.

Psalm 71.18 - And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation, and their children too, about all your mighty miracles.

Psalm 128.6 - May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

Psalm 78.5-7 - He instructed our ancestors to teach his laws to their children, so that the next generation might learn them and in turn should tell their children. In this way they also will put their trust in God.

2 Timothy 1.5 - I am reminded of the sincere faith which you have; it came first to live in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, and I have no doubt it is the same faith in you as well.

Isaiah 57.2 - Those who live godly lives find peace and rest in death.

Psalm 89.15 - Blessed are those who hear the joyful blast of the trumpet, for they shall walk in the light of your presence.

Matthew 24.31 - And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather his chosen.

Zephaniah 3.17,18 - He will rejoice over you in great gladness. He will love you and not accuse you. Is that a joyous choir I hear? It is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song.

Isaiah 51.11 - Therefore the redeeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

1 Corinthians 15.54,55 - O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?