Wednesday, August 21, 2019
I remember Nancy’s infectious joy and beautiful smile the day Bob and I married—she was so genuinely happy for us. Her smile greeted everyone that day as she asked them to sign the remembrance book.
I remember, too, the joy Nancy shared with me the day I was baptized: she insisted on playing the piano for the service and did a lovely job playing all her favorite hymns. She told me how happy she was that I knew I was truly Christ’s and that we were family now in another way.
We are told, “. . . I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so will God bring with Him those also who sleep in Jesus. . . . Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14,18)
So I am comforted, knowing that she has the joy of being an aunt now to her nephew Nathaniel and her grandnephew Carl, in the same way she loved being an aunt to Amanda. She is walking—yes, walking!!—once again side-by-side with her big brother Richard. And sating her unquenchable thirst for knowledge alongside her daddy and granddaddy.
I know that Christ never forsakes those who choose to be His—no matter what. And that He greeted Nancy with open arms and spoke peace to her. I have no doubt she is finally whole and finally free—of everything that ever tried to separate her from His unfailing love. She is rejoicing, now, with all those she loved who have gone before.
