Earlier this week, I had the honor and privilege of celebrating the life of my Grandma’s sister Gertie. Over the past few years, I’ve grown closer to that part of my family through social media of all things. So when I heard the news of Gertie’s passing this past weekend, I made sure to clear my schedule so that I could be there to honor her memory and celebrate her life with those that knew and loved her.
As I sat there in the beautiful church, staring at the ornate cross in front of me, I was touched by the message of hope and redemption that the pastor shared at the service. There is just such a beautiful way that the horrific and painful death that we are remembering this Easter week softens and brings a bright light of hope to a funeral today. As we remember what Jesus Christ endured on the cross on this Maundy Thursday, let’s remember the why’s of what He did. Not only for Gertie, but for you, too!
As we sang this familiar old hymn at the closing of the service, I was moved to tears at the thought of Gertie laying all of her burdens down at the feet of Jesus. And how His suffering and dying was just for her. And it was just for you, too! When she passed from this world into a world that we can only begin to imagine, her Saviors arms welcomed her. His death on the cross was the punishment for all of the wrong-doings she did in this life.
All of her mistakes, all of her moments of carelessness.
All of her regrets were washed clean 2,000 years before she was even born!
God, by His unending grace made a huge sacrifice that day on the cross. He suffered and died so that you can live. His gift of eternal life in Heaven is yours if you can accept that His punishment was payment enough for your mistakes.
There is nothing that you can do to earn it, He already paid for it.
But have you made a decision to accept it?
Have you told Him that what He did on the cross was enough?
Have you accepted that even though you are a human who makes mistakes, that through His sacrifice, He can make you spotless and pure before God?
When you believe in your heart and proclaim with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that what He did for you makes you pure and blameless in the eyes of God, you can be assured of your salvation. You can have the peace of mind of knowing that this life isn’t the end, and that when you pass from this place, you will walk straight into the arms of the one who paid the price for you.
No one can take that gift away from you once you accept it.
I told my Dad yesterday that when my day comes, I want my funeral to be a place where people know and understand that I was not a perfect person. That I had faults, quirks, that I made so many bad choices. But I have no fear of death. Because I know with assurance that Jesus blood has washed me clean, and that none of that will matter when I see my Savior face to face.
I look forward to the day when I’m reunited in heaven with my Mom and my beloved Grandma and Grandpa Timm. And I don’t hope that it will happen, I KNOW that it will. Because each of these three people who I love so much knew without a doubt that Jesus sacrifice was enough for them, too. They professed it with their mouths and knew it in their hearts.
I’ll close with the words to another old hymn we sang at Gertie’s service this week:
Happy Easter, my friends!!
Blessings,
Angie
PS: Do you need prayer today? I’m happy to pray for you! Either comment below, or message me here.
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8 Responses
Angie, this was such a beautiful summary of my mom’s funeral. Thank you! I had no idea when I picked those songs this past January that she would pass away right before Easter. How fitting those songs were, that could have only been a God moment now as I look back. I am so comforted knowing that she is in Heaven reunited with all h her brothers, sisters, her mom & Dad and also Bob my Dad. So many things just fell into place that can only be God’s plan. The sermon text that Pastor used (Mark 10:14) was used because of my mom’s love for children. When I supplied my mom’s Baptism Certificate from Holland, that same Bible verse was printed on her Certificate from when she was a baby! Will I miss my mom, oh yes, and tears were shed for that! But yes it was a happy funeral because I know she walked straight into the arms of the one who paid the price for her! ❤️
I’m so glad that you saw this! I was going to message you tonight in case you missed it. That service affected me profoundly, in a really great way. Such a great way to celebrate her life! I have so many good memories of Your Mom and my Grandma. They’d have “club” at Grandpa and Grandmas and Sarah and I would still be there from after school. I always thought that someday I wanted to have my own “club” of couple friends who spend time together eating “Nushies” and playing cards. They all just loved being together and I admired that!
God does love to surprise us with how intentional the details seem, even when we didn’t plan them. He knew, and it all came together so beautifully! I had no idea you chose those songs so long ago. How perfect! And Easter will always remind me of that day. I’ll celebrate with a big bowl of Gertie Mix ☺️But of course, I’ll have to pick out the cherrios and give them to my sister
Beautifully said. Praise Him for His amazing work and the free gift of salvation. Sorry about your grandma’s sister, but love that we can rejoice in her arrival in the Lord’s amazing Eternal Kingdom.
Robin,
Thank you so much! It’s so wonderful that because of what He did for us, even the sad days are a celebration. I just want the whole world to know!!
Thank you for this…
Stacy,
You are so welcome!! The message touched a nerve for me, so this was my attempt at sharing what I heard. I’m glad that someone else enjoyed the simple truth of salvation today ♥️ Thank you for letting me know!
That was so beautiful! Wow.. it’s because of what He did for us gives us hope.. I can’t wait to see my step dad and hopefully my Dad in heaven. I’m so thankful for His grace and mercy even when I don’t deserve it ❤️
It’s so wonderful to have that assurance, isn’t it? I appreciate you sharing this Bridget!!!