Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

This has been a sad weekend in our family as we prepare to say goodbye to Travis' Grandpa. We got a call last week that his long struggle with Parkinson's and old age appears to be coming to an end. We've all known this day would come, but as you know, that doesn't make it any easier when it actually does. We are comforted in knowing that he is surrounded by his bride of 60+ years, as well as his kids through these final days and hours. We believe that Pa (as this Texas family calls him) knows Jesus and will be dancing in His presence soon! The pain will be gone, the weaknesses restored, and the confusion over. As we grieve our loss here, we will know that his "real life" is beginning and this seperation we feel now will one day be over. Aren't the promises of salvation especially precious and true in these hours? Death without hope is indeed devastating. Death with the promise of eternal life is only sad for a season. God is so merciful to give us every opportunity to choose life with Him...the urgency is to do that before it's too late. I'll leave you with a good look at growing old, from Ecclesiastes, and ask you to pray for Travis' family now as we walk through this valley in the coming days...old age and death is inevitable but hope reigns in the hearts of those who know Jesus as their Savior...then, and only then, is life eternal!

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 (explanation mine)
"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-
(before it's too late to turn back)
before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
(A metaphor for our bodies breaking down)
when the keepers of the house tremble,
(your hands)
and the strong men stoop,
(your shoulders)
when the grinders cease because they are few,
(your teeth)
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
(your eyes)
when the doors to the street (your ears) are closed and the sound of grinding fades
(struggling to hear someone talk);
When men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
(waking up early, but lacking energy)
when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets
(getting tentative and afraid);
when the almond tree blossoms
(getting white hair)
and the grasshopper drags himself along
(physical limitations)
and desire is no longer stirred
(sexual limitations).
Then the man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Remember him...
(before it's too late!)