A Tribute to My Grandfather

It’s hard to believe that less than two weeks after my grandmother (my mom’s mom) passed away, my grandfather (my dad’s dad) passed away. My family feels like we’ve been hit hard, but the Lord has been very close to us.

The Bible tells us that it is good to contemplate what our end will be. "It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2. We all will have to face death. The question that we need to ask ourselves is, are we ready? I’m so thankful that Jesus came to die for us so that we can have eternal life, if we give our lives to Him. I have reresolved in my heart to let nothing between my soul and my Savior.

A friend sent me this song after my grandmother passed away. It reflects my sentiment perfectly.

Home Sick for Heaven

So dear to my heart is the promise of God,
A home with the pure and blest;
Where earth weary pilgrims, strangers here below,
Will find their eternal rest.

Chorus:
I’m homesick for heaven, seems I cannot wait,
Yearning to enter Zion’s pearly gate;
There never a heartache, never a care,
I long for my home over there.

‘Tis Eden, fair Eden, I long to behold,
Where naught can despoil that’s fair;
Where saints of all ages, hold communion sweet,
The glories of heaven share.

But chiefest of all is the thought that enthralls,
That I shall behold my King;
Rejoice in His presence, revel in His grace,
And ever His praises sing.

by Henry de Fluiter

A brief tribute to my grandfather.

My grandpa was the type of man that I don’t think ever got mad, at least I never saw him mad. He was so calm. He also had an awesome sense of humor. He always had these one-liners that would stick in your mind. When my husband and I started being attracted to each other, we were pretty young. I guess my grandfather wanted to give us the advice to not rush it. He told me one day, "Love makes thin soup." (We waited for four years before we got married.)

His passion was growing plants and he could really do it. He could grow flowers and vegetables bigger and better than anybody. After he retired, he spent most of his time in the garden it seemed. It’s no surprise that winter was not his favorite season, because there was no gardening. I’ve thought several times that he would pass away in the winter, because he’d be missing his garden so much. I guess this was the winter.

My grandpa was my first employer (other than probably my parents paying me for odd jobs). When I was around 12, he hired my brother and I to pick strawberries and then help him peddle them in town. He grew the best strawberries ever. And once we sold to somebody, they’d always call us up and order more. And we had enough strawberries for us too. We ate them until our mouths were sore. I have such fond memories of those summers.

I’m going to miss him so much. I’m very thankful that my grandfather also loved the Lord with all of his heart. I want to spend eternity with him.