Eulogy

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.