Good-by For Now, Granny

Four days ago we were told that my grandmother would not live through the day, but she did! In fact, she lived three more days before she went home to be with her Lord, her husband, her 1st born daughter, her parents, and her siblings.

Granny had congested heart failure. Unable to get enough oxygen, she grew weaker and weaker each day. There wasn’t much any of us could do to minister her…not even the medical staff. That’s when the angels stepped in and minister to Granny like only heaven can.

“It was late Saturday night,” the nurse shared. “I came to check on Mrs. Guffy and witnessed a beautiful site. She was communing with heaven. With her hands folded under her chin and her eyes lifted toward heaven, she laughed and mumbled in response to what she was seeing.”

“What was she seeing?” asked my mother.

“We believe she was seeing heavens angels,” replied the nurse. “At least that’s what others have called them when they were near death too.”

Hearing of Granny’s experience made me stop and think… why do we fear death when all of heaven comes to greet us?

Someone once said (I think it was a country music singer) that they didn’t mind dying. They just didn’t want to be there when it happened. But for the believer, death is the exact moment we see reality! The very instant that we take our last breath is when we breathe in the magnificent sight of God surrounded by His heavenly creatures in a setting called heaven so beautiful that it will wipe the memory of earth forever from our minds. Death is the doorway to everything we’ve been waiting for. And my Granny has arrived!

You have to understand. This is a new perspective for me. I hate death. Well, I hate the pain of death…that punch in the stomach kind of pain that leaves you feeling weak and helpless.

When you lose someone you love, like I have (a spouse), then every other loss just builds on top of the old pain making death an unbearable emotion for me. I’ve learned to crawl up in my heavenly Father’s lap, lay my head on His strong shoulder, and cry until the tears stop flowing. I’ve found its safe to grieve in the arms of God. But I didn’t mean to make this about me.

Monday was Granny’s birthday. She turned 99 years old. Even though she was unaware that it was her special day, the nursing home decorated her room and she received several birthday cards from friends and family. It’s just like Granny to wait here long enough for us to celebrate her birthday. Once her day had past, she quietly excused herself and entered the presence of God.

My grandmother was a true Proverbs 31 woman. Something I’m struggling to achieve. I mean…this model of a godly woman found in Proverbs 31 plowed fields for heaven sakes! Do you know what that would do to my manicure? I don’t even pull weeds. I spray Round-up, but that’s as close to the dirt as I get.

What about the fact that she rises early?? I seriously think there was a misprint here. It should read “she rises early afternoon!” I’ve never been a morning person! Does that disqualify me?

Granny didn’t think so. Even though she never preached at us, she lived out what she believed in hopes that we would catch it. Granny was a woman of prayer. She read the bible through three times. She spoke with kindness and wisdom. Granny made her clothes and her children’s clothes. She got up early and had dinner on the table every evening at the same time. She was a submissive wife, and she even plowed fields! Her godly lifestyle and prayers have not only impacted each member of our family, but they are a part of our heritage. A heritage I pray I’m worthy to carrying on.

Thank you, Granny, for loving the Lord out loud. Until we meet again…I love you.