This is not exactly a HYMN LINE, but it centers around a lot of hymns and gospel songs. This was my pastoral comments for my mother-in-law's memorial service this past Monday - Beddie Rene "Nonnie" Lowry.
This will not interest some of you, but for some of you it may be worth reading.
This
world was not her home, she was just a’ passin’ through.
Her
treasures were laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The
angels beckoned her from heaven’s open door,
And
she couldn’t be at home in this world anymore.
He
the pearly gates has opened
So
that she may enter in;
For
he purchased her redemption
And
forgave her all her sins.
Out
of her bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus
has come. Jesus has come.
Into
great freedom, gladness and light.
Jesus
has come.
Out
of earth’s sorrow, into his balm;
Out
of life’s storms and into God’s calm.
Out
of distress to jubilant song.
Jesus
has come.
It’s
a little early for a Christmas carol, but all the stores are already fully
decorated for the season… so I think it will be okay:
All
ye, beneath life’s crushing load
Whose
forms are bending low,
Who
toil along the climbing way
With
painful steps… and slow.
Look! Now the glad and golden hours
Come
swiftly on the wing.
Now
(you can) rest beside the weary road… rest
And
hear the angels sing.
This
weekend was the time of year that the church celebrates All-Saints Day – the day
congregations around the world take time out to remember the lives of the
saints who have gone before us, especially during the past year. Many churches spent
a few minutes yesterday reading the names of those from their flock who had
died during the past twelve months.
As
I stood by Nonnie’s bed on Saturday morning with Carlita and Becky and heard
her last earthly breath – I thought to myself: “How appropriate that THIS saint
has joined the heavenly realm on All Saints Weekend.” Amid the tears, inside my heart I sang to
myself:
“For all the saints who from their labors
rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed.
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia.
Thou was their Rock, their fortress and
their might.
Thou Lord, their Captain in their
well-fought fight,
Thou in the darkness drear, their one true
Light. Alleluia”
Nonnie
may not have known that hymn, but it was definitely about her – Nonnie was one
of the saints. Her main commitment throughout her life was to Christ … no doubt
about that. She was redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and a close-follower of
that Redeeming Lamb.
Right
next to wherever she was sitting, there was her Bible within easy reach…
and I’m pretty sure she reached for it often. For the past year and a half at
Covenant Place, Nonnie spent most of her waking hours sitting on the left-hand
end of the same sturdy, well-built plaid burgundy Flex-Steel sofa she had
occupied for years. On the center cushion within easy reach was her Bible.
Saint
Beddie Rene grew up playing the piano, and her blond, out-of-tune Story and
Clark studio piano was used regularly in her living room. She’d walk by, sit
down and play a gospel song, and move on with the next chore at hand. That
piano now belongs to Kimble… and we hope she will enjoy playing it as much as
Nonnie did.
Three
weeks ago, Nonnie sat down at the grand piano at Mayme’s house and played “Great
Is Thy Faithfulness.” It’s amazing how musical gifts seem to stay in our mind
after other things disappear. It was, by the way, one of the hymns she had
listed to be sung here today.
My
point is that this beautiful saint – like this son-in-law – loved the great
hymns and enjoyed playing them often as part of her on-going worship routine.
The written Word of God and the songs of the faith nourished her life and made
her the wonderful person described today in this service.
There’s
been a lot of talk in recent hours about how Nonnie has been reunited with D’Daddy,
with Lucy Mae, with baby Jennifer… and others.
Those
of us who share her faith are promised that we will once again see HER… perhaps
have a grilled cheese sandwich… but for sure we will SING with her as she
plays.
We
will sing on that beautiful shore
The
melodious song of the blest.
And
our spirits will sorrow no more,
Not
a sigh for the blessing of rest.
In the sweet by and by,
We shall sing on that beautiful shore.
Yes,
we’ll gather at the river. The beautiful, the beautiful river.
Gather
with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
