Those Who Died in Christ

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. NASB

During the evening of April 2, 2017, I learned that one of my mother’s younger sisters died earlier that same day. Even though I was truly saddened by the loss of another one of my mother’s siblings, I rejoice in her homegoing because she is now with the Lord.  

Aunt Daisy was a loving sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Although she had her own children, during my early elementary years, she also was like a mother to me. My Aunt Daisy helped my mother and grandmother with my upbringing. 

For the most part, Aunt Daisy was a quiet private person, just like so many of my grandmother and grandfather Wade’s children were. However, when she did reveal something personal, she always divulged something significant.

When I begin to think about how frequently so many of the family members I grew up with have gone home to be with the Lord, the Holy Spirit soon interrupts my thoughts with His reminder of how close we are to the time of our Lord’s return. Thus, because I know Aunt Daisy loved the Lord and now is safe in His arms—as are my mother, uncles, other aunts, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents—I happily dedicate the following poem, “We’ll Fly Away,” to my family, especially Aunt Daisy’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

We’ll Fly Away

Away with Christ we’ll one day fly
When clouds break and He appears
To raise the sleeping true worshippers,
Then catch up those like us—
Still serving Him in the land of the living.

What a glad moment that will be,
To soar on high free of bird or plane’s wings,
Then change in quicker than a blink
Into His promised glorified morally upright,
And enter Heaven to wed our Groom
Who’ll never abandon His own nor cause them pain.

~ from My Spirit’s Musings, Chapter 2, page 82

There is no doubt that, even though Aunt Daisy is with the Lord, she will be greatly missed by numerous family members and friends. I personally will miss her dearly.

Rest in peace Aunt Daisy . . . .

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