I know that it has been a minute since I’ve posted a devotional, please accept my apologies. My grandfather who I talk about often had been really sick but God took all of that away from him on Tuesday, July 3rd at 12:45AM and although it has been very hard and I would give anything to have him back, I wouldn’t want him to come if he would have to endure the sickness and the anguish he has these last few years. See, I’ve lived long enough to know that when the blood stops flowing and there is no more breath on this side, it simply means a new body on God’s side. So, I rejoice in knowing granddaddy’s suffering ended when he took his last breath and that feeble body he was locked in was left here because he received an entire new body that doesn’t have scars from the many surgeries he’s endured or the radiation he had to take. It didn’t matter about what he had on or that he had lost a lot of weight because none of that matters now. God had a new robe waiting for him that fit him perfectly, he had slippers that conformed to his feet because they were made just for him and all the weight he’d lost was restored back to him. So, don’t grieve for me yet rejoice at the goodness of God that took place the other morning at grandma’s house for granddaddy just received the rest that we all long for. John 16:22 says, “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”
Yea, we sleep on this side but over on God’s side you get rest that has no end. On this side we praise God on Sunday but over on the other side every day is Sunday. On this side we endure stress from all our labor, pain and sickness, being lied on, talked about and misused but on God’s side all we endure is rejoicing. On this side we die but on the other side we live. Don’t you know that in order to live again that you must die? Yea, so dying isn’t all that bad. Sure, it leaves families mourning but in the morning God will dry your tears and fill your heart with peace that no man can understand. See, through dying we gain deliverance because death is simply delivering us back to our maker. Is it hard? Yes but it’s bearable if you have your heart in God because he won’t allow no more to come upon you that he hasn’t already prepared us to handle. Is dying hard for those left here, yes, but living is even harder. I won’t lie like I won’t shed tears because I miss that man who has always been my daddy and the first man I’ve ever loved but that’s just my flesh talking because as foe me my soul is rejoicing for having him here with me for 35 years. Granddaddy did his living and even though God promised us 70, some 80 years, granddaddy lived to be 84 and he was in his right mind until he took his last breath so I won’t complain. He knew who I was and I was the last person he saw so I won’t complain. He is no longer suffering and in need of things that he can’t get or do for himself so I won’t complain. I know the sorrow this world has for me is nothing compared to the healing that Heaven gives so I’ll keep living until God says otherwise. Will you do the same? Don’t take life, especially your own, for granted because it’s precious and you, I, they or we can be gone in a blink of an eye. Yea, I know that sometimes the going gets hard but it’s not over so stop giving up and giving in. You have a Father who will do anything for his children, all you have to do is ask. And just like any parent, there is sometimes a no in the midst but don’t fret because the no’s are for your good.
I’ll rejoice in granddaddy’s living and I’ll rejoice even more in his leaving because it’s a way we all have to go in order to meet God. Now, I have to live right so that I can meet granddaddy again because I can’t keep dwelling on his passing for he paid the cost and is just getting what he purchased which is a new home with his Father so I can’t be mad at him for doing so. Jesus said in John 14:1-3, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” So I’ll just tell granddaddy goodnight until I see him again.
Lakisha, the Author 
I’ve really missed u Kisha, I was really worried Im truly sorry for your lost. Even in saying that we know ti be absent in the body is to be present with Christ. Losing a loved one is never easy but as sure as were born we all must die. Hold steadfast to your memories until that day that u meet again. My condolence are with you and your family, GOD bless you my sister. I pray your strength daily!
Thank you Victoria and I missed writing and your encouragement just as much!
I was sorry to hear of your loss Kisha. But you are correct when you say he is in a much better place. It is such a comfort to me to know I’ll hug my mom again. Thanks again for your devotionals. They are a blessing. Bev.