One month out from Joy's death... some perspectives.

Early tomorrow morning (Monday 2/6/17) at 3:00 am will mark four weeks since Joy leapt into the arms of the Lord Jesus.  I'm logging this for posterity and not so much for publication although it will be public.  Her funeral was actually a celebration of her life and the goodness of God.  We ran out of parking room, and the church quickly came up with a shuttle system to ferry attendees who parked at a different location and were brought to the church building.  It is estimated that between 600 and 700 people were with us on Jan 14.  We had people, non-family members who drove hundreds of miles to share with us.  Several folks from Michigan whom we hadn't seen in years and folks as far away as Virginia drove in.  In retrospect, several of the Michigan folks came because in some way, Joy and I had been instruments to help their church through a difficult time and to this day, they mark the singing of the Twila Paris song "God Is In Control" to be a turning point for their congregation.  That is amazing and humbling experience as we realize that God took that song and encouraged that local church that even in devastating and dark times, God was sovereignly controlling the situation for their good and His  glory.  They remember that event and came to tell us, me that God was in control of me as well.

There was also an excellent choir of about 60 musicians from all walks of life who loved Joy and our family and wanted to express their love to our family by singing.  There were former and present students of mine who sang as well.

Jonathan Christmas, Tim Hoak, Mark Redfern, my son-in-law and Ted Christman led in some aspect of the funeral and Pastor (from 1st Baptist) where Joy played in the morning did the graveside service.  Personally, we all experienced great comfort and compassion which has carried us through to this day.

Many folks said things like her lungs are healed now and she's breathing easy; she is in a better place (all of which I know to be true).   Yet her largest blessing is that she is with the One who redeemed her and loved her from all eternity, who called her at the time, gave her a new heart, forgave her for all of her trespasses.  And while even the best worship we experience on this earth, when our hearts seem to be carried away for a bit by getting a glimpse of the Holy City,' those times end and often they are too infrequent in our experience.   Often in worship, we feel distracted, or half-hearted, or find we have impure motives mixed in with our worship.  Joy is completely free of that.  All of her worship is full-hearted.  She is never distracted by a hint or thought of sin.  And her experience is surely one of ever-increasing bliss.  Knowing this gives me such comfort.  She wouldn't come back to this earth if she could.  Yes, her body is no longer in pain and she is a spirit waiting for the quickening of her mortal body on that Last Day when the trumpet shall sound.

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song" isn't just for us on the earth.  It is also in heaven and if there are new songs, someone is going to be composing them and I have little doubt she will be involved in some aspect of writing a new song to her Redeemer.

I do have some times of tears and sadness but much to my surprise, I am not devastated as I thought I would be and apparently, neither are my 3 children.  This blessed, sure hope (which is beyond a mere wish or desire) has helped our family greatly.  We do miss her.  Her wisdom, example, intelligence, musicianship, kindness, compassion, thoroughness, gentleness and love both as a mother and wife.