“As I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. If I should live another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way. Amen.”
As a small child I learned this little prayer and repeated it nightly. Though I am no longer a child, tonight I find it once again fitting as some of my dear friends say goodnight for now and their families do their best to say their goodbyes for now.
Sadly I can relate to their struggles, for even I have had to say my goodbyes to many of my loved ones. From my grandparents to my father to even my unborn child, I too have searched my heart trying to find the right words to express my gratitude for having known them and my heartache of having to let them go on.
My sweet friend Kerri has recently had to say goodbye to her precious mama, Ruth. Her mama and daddy have always helped Kerri out with decorating her business for everyone to enjoy. So many times we have all enjoyed the fruit of their labor of love. Her family has always been so sweet and they are very close, even going on vacations together. I understand this kind of closeness because I was blessed with wonderful parents and vacationed with them as well. I also know how hard it was to go back to some of our favorite places without my father when he passed. So, I pray that the Lord will give my friend and her entire extended family peace that passes all understanding as they learn to navigate this heartbreaking loss on this side of heaven.
Another dear friend, Iris, is also preparing for her devoted husband, Joe, to take his heavenly flight. I have known this amazing couple for a few years now and have even gotten to tell a little of their incredible love story which still amazes me today. In fact I am inspired to be more like Jesus and Iris because of her love for others and her charisma for life. I also know how proud Joe is of his family because when I interviewed him a while back for an article, I watched tears flow down his cheeks as he told me how all his children and Iris’ children got along. He stated that it really wasn’t his children or her children – only their children because they had melted into one big family. He considered himself a very blessed man because of it all and even now I see how blessed he has been.
So it was no surprise to read the beautiful accolades from his daughter to Iris who was an answer to their prayers as she shared her life and love with Joe and the whole family. Though I know there will be sadness at his passing, there will also be rejoicing in heaven.
Revelations 14:13 says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works follow them.”
This is the hope that these families believe in and so do I. For Christ is our Hope. So as I lay me down to sleep, I thank the Lord their souls He will keep.
Goodnight my friends. We will see you again on heaven’s shore.
