I remember cradling my precious six-year old in my arms; they had just removed the oxygen--it was time to let her go. Born with cerebral palsy, Stephanie had never walked, yet she was about to take her first step. How grand to know it would be the one that took her from pain to perfection.
  I held Mama's hand and bid her farewell, at least for a time. For however long it took for us to be reunited, there would be only the one heartbeat between us. The one I didn't get here would carry me there--into that eternal peace in which she now rested.
A minister, forced to retire years before because of bad health, stood and gave his testimony. As he sat down, those behind him in the next row saw him slump gently to the side. In the scant seconds it took for them to round the pew, Uncle E.T. was beyond their reach--he had merely stepped from this shore to that one.
Even as this is posted, for her loved ones, too few moments remain in the life of Isabelle, one of the dearest friends I've ever had. The call has come--she must go. That final step she must take is one we cannot yet make. How precious to know Jesus is not so limited! (Update: Isabelle entered into her eternal rest with Jesus in May of 2000.)
As his beloved 16-year old granddaughter softly sang his favorite gospel song in her precious Papa's ear, our father-in-law slipped from this existence to that one on June 20, 2001. Yet as that one step took him from our sight on this shore, others on that shore already had him in view!
Beloved cousin, Nancy: far beyond that which man can do, yet confident in He Who holds our future. As we tarry before the Lord on her behalf, she daily rejoices to know to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. Only one step, Beloved Cousin! (Update: Nancy passed from this life in July of 2001.)
I want to live so when it comes my time to go, all that's left for me to do is to take only one step more, out of this existence into an eternal one, freed from pain. No more separations, no more good-byes, no more sickness or sorrow. Oh, the splendid joy of being ever in the presence of my Heavenly Father--He Who has done so much for me!
Oh, for the Grace to take only one step more! |
