I wrote this poem especially for my Grandmother. After a long battle with Alzheimer's disease she was called home to be with her Saviour in September 2015.
During her ninety four years on Earth she made quite an impression on pretty much everyone who met her and my Gran could certainly be described as a lady ahead of her time! I wanted to write a poem that would express my gratitude for having been a part of her life but also my gratitude for our Saviour Jesus Christ. There never seems to be a time that more readily highlights the awesome power of the Cross than when we lose a loved one in the faith.
When I heard of my Gran's passing I felt a mixture of emotions all at once: relief that she was no longer suffering, sorrow at her absence and an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy that she was now celebrating her first moments in eternity with Jesus.
When I try to picture what it must have felt like spending all those years slipping further and further into darkness and confusion I can only imagine her sheer joy at waking up in Heaven to perfect clarity, seeing the face of her Saviour and hearing His voice speak those blessed words "Welcome home, good and faithful servant." My heart overflows with gratitude when I picture this and I can't help but smile in spite of my own sorrow.
It's for this reason that my poem is called "Rest In Peace." This may seem like an obvious choice of title for an occasion such as this but the title does not in fact refer to my Gran because I know she's fine. She's more than fine! She's having the best time she's ever had! The title instead refers to the peace that I rest in knowing that my Gran is now in the wonderful company of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It refers to the peace that I rest in knowing that thanks to the awesome work Jesus did for us on the Cross, one day I will see my Gran again and it will be the beginning of our eternity together praising the One Who made it all possible. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Dearest one, the winter is over
And the sun has finally set.
Though you leave me in sadness and sorrow,
In my heart I feel no regret.
I think through the years of my lifetime
And how you have always been there.
To imagine you no longer with us
Leaves a void so empty and bare.
As a baby you cradled and held me,
As a tot I was bounced on your knee.
The games that we played in my childhood
Are now just a fond memory.
I think of our countless adventures,
How we'd leave the real world behind
As we walked through fantastical forests!
We'd imagine such fun in our minds.
Years passed and we formed a deep friendship.
Times we shared in my heart I replay.
We'd sing about sweet bonnie Scotland
As we'd sit in the sunshine all day.
I'd listen to tales from your childhood;
How outrageous you were for your time!
I took joy in creating the picture
Of you in your youth and your prime.
In my thoughts I can visit these moments.
Special times that I'll always recall.
Re-live them and treasure them always
And feel grateful we shared them at all.
How blessed I feel to have known you;
You were grandmother, mother and wife.
Your existence imprinted within me.
Ever more you'll be part of my life.
But now I am here in the present
With the thought of your absence so stark.
I know that this pain won't consume me
For a light that is piercing the dark.
I remember you spoke of our Saviour,
Of the joy His Salvation would bring.
Many times your peace was a witness
Of a life living under His wing.
Your words planted seeds in my spirit
And encouraged me not to let go.
Your faith was a gentle reminder
Of the Saviour I wanted to know.
For this I'm eternally grateful
Though you knew not the purpose you played.
The rewards you will reap now in Heaven
For your faith and the difference you made.
I know on this earth I will miss you
And though tears of deep sorrow I'll weep,
Lamentations I'll turn into worship
For in Jesus you've fallen asleep.
He knew of the pain death would bring us
But His work on the Cross has sufficed.
He's abolished sin's claim on the captives!
So I rest in the promise of Christ.
When my days here on earth are but over
And I walk through that heavenly door,
When it's my turn to meet with our Saviour
I know I'll meet you too once more.
When I think of this gift Jesus gave us,
His love manifest through Son of Man,
Eternity won't seem sufficient
To express just how grateful I am.
For your arms once again they will hold me,
Your face once again I will see.
Forever we'll dance in God's glory!
So completed and perfect we'll be.
Though time made it's claim on your body,
The result of our fall took it's toll,
My heart is at peace with the knowledge
That death has no grip on your soul.
Before your days here were outnumbered,
Before it was time to depart
You acknowledged that Jesus is Saviour
And accepted Him into your heart.
So now you are dancing with angels,
Reuniting with friends from your past.
Fulfilment I cannot imagine
And your joy will eternally last.
You'll rejoice in your heavenly body;
One that time cannot ravage or touch.
Eternally free from life's burdens!
Only Jesus can offer so much.
No more will you face trial or trouble.
No more you face sorrow or pain.
These things are not even a memory
And you'll think of them never again.
So I rest in the peace that you're happy.
I rest in this knowledge alone.
As you bask in the wonders of Jesus
I rest in the peace that you're home.
Psalm 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Matthew 25:21
"Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
Revelation 21:3-4
"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.""
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