REFLECTIONS

Matthew 7 - 21

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord

shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven;

but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

A figure carefully wrapped and insulated against the bitter cold sat close to the small fire blazing in the hearth.   Supplies of fuel were running out but Bob managed to gather wood from the surrounding countryside and for the moment they had heat.

It was difficult to distinguish whether the body was he or she, fur lined hat with spaniel ear flaps tied under the chin, thick gloves and insulated indoor boots, cocooned in large red blanket, but this was Nanna and now and again she would burst into song "I know my Redeemer lives, I know my Redeemer lives" and then she would nod off once again.

There was no fear on that tired face.   Just an amazing peace, her battle almost over.   Those she loved stood nearby and if she had any concerns it was for their future.   Her witness to friends and family of what lay ahead had often brought derision and a questioning look regarding her sanity, but Lisa and Bob respected her vision and had made their preparations.

Remember the words of Isaiah 54.17 she encouraged.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;

and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

and their righteousness is of Me,

saith the Lord.

"Perhaps we should ask Mum to help us with some sort of service for when"........Lisa's voice trailed off.    The blanketed Nanna spoke "My son-in-law is a minister for heaven's sake, not many men get the chance to bury their mother-in-law."   She giggled, and for a second she was young again her sense of humour restored.

"I suggested you start as all these modern funerals do with a song.   "I commend my soul" sung by Shannon Wexelberg, followed by her other track "I will rest in You" and finally Mal Pope's "Caught in your Light" so very very beautiful" she murmured as she dozed off again.

"Oh Nanny" pleaded Jenny "please don't leave us"   "Hush" said Lisa "she just asleep now, and when the Lord takes her she will look much the same.   There's no need to be afraid.  Remember what Jesus said.

John 11 - 25 - 26

I am the resurrection and the life: He that believeth in me,

though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

 Believest thou this?

Later that week it was clear Nanna was slipping away.   She grasped Lisa's hand.   "Precious girl, make sure you plant me facing east with Dad's ashes and then go off and have a really great celebration, and just one more request.   She drew a crumpled piece of paper from the deep folds of blanket.   "Read it sweetheart and laugh, this is not the end."

She continued "I first heard this song at a humanist's funeral,  you know its all falling leaves and the cycle of life, I could only think what an arrogant snub at the Divine.   So if you can get a backing track of "I did it my way"  this is my version."   That mischievious smile that had always amused her nearest and dearest faded as she drifted off again.

Lisa read the paper out loud.

And now, its very clear I've run the race hoping I'd win it.

Possessions they are few and my account's stretched to the limit.

But hey what's that to me, your message clear to those who hoard it,

There is a last report, a final audit.

For there were years, I know You knew,

when I messed up and joined the queue,

of those who sang a different song,

or just denied they'd got it wrong.

But then I cried and You replied.

NOW - DO IT MY WAY.

I know, I truly know, that I came nowhere near perfection,

in spite of every prompt I still went in the wrong direction.

But since that blessed day You took my hand might I just mention,

I tried, I really tried,

TO DO IT YOUR WAY.

Lisa crumpled into a heap on the floor her body racked with laughter and then the tears flowed.   Dusk fell, the solar lamp carried by an angel figurine on the bedroom window cill flickered on.   Nanna had gone.

SHALOM