I think – that most think – talking about death is morbid. And I do think so – if I must say so – myself. There are times I am convinced that I will live forever – not only in heaven, but here on Earth. I am wrong; I do realize.
I recently found some tombstones I viewed funny though. One tombstone my brother and I found in a cemetery in Key West said, “I told you I was sick.” We laughed together reading it and he identified with that one because he was sick and no one seemed to realize it. He has since passed. He told us he was sick!
The stones I viewed ranged from funny to really funny stuff about a not so funny topic. Another I recently viewed said, “Don’t laugh, you’re next.” Others said, “Myra Mains,” “Here lays my husband, Tom.. Now I know where he is at night,” “Buttermilk Hatfield – Tried milkin’ a cow that was really a bull, Milk can’s empty, grave is full,” and “Ben Better” to share a few.
If the stone in the blog is difficult to read, it says ‘Here he lies, but he never died!’ Praise God. That is one thing I think I would like on my tombstone. We never die when we know Jesus. If Jesus left the grave behind Him, so will I. During devotions one day, I read someone else’s thoughts. He said:
“Recently I discovered it’s possible to record a message for my tombstone. And if I do, this may be what you’ll hear:
Thanks for coming by. Sorry you missed me, but I’m not here. I’m home. Finally home! At some point my King will call, and this grave will be shown for the temporary tomb it is. You might want to step to the side in case that happens while you are here. Hope you’ve made plans for your own departure. All the best, ….. “
I am in the position – like so many others – of impending loss and having had much loss already in life. Sometimes I think life is all about loss. I, like most, like to avoid the very sad topic of departing to heaven and, even though this should be a celebrated event, it does not seem to be.
Psalms 116.15 assures us, “Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones).”
Jesus has promised, “I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live” (John 11.25) and it will be with Him in Paradise. (Luke 23.43)
I would like to say, “I can’t wait!” but I think I want to wait until the Lord calls me home. For the ones I am walking with along their long and winding roads that are leading this way, I pray for the words to comfort them and assure them that Jesus is waiting for them and it will be great! He promised.
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