Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels
Borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory,
Over the jasper sea.
Refrain:
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world’s temptations;
Sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
Free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials,
Only a few more tears!
Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages
Ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
Wait till the night is o’er;
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.
My Grandma went home to Jesus tonight. And while I am so happy for her, the tears flow. She was 92. She lived a full, happy, healthy life. She was ready to go. And we did not want to see her have to suffer here. But oh it causes an ache in my heart. So many memories. Time moves so fast. It seems like yesterday that I would go lock the front door of our house and hide her purse so she couldn’t leave. I always had to give her a kiss before I finally let her leave too. She made the best meals, and always hoped they would be ‘fit to eat’. She was always so glad to see us and always said to come back. I went to see her for a few minutes last Wednesday. When I hugged her goodbye she said to ‘Come back’. And I knew then that I probably wouldn’t get back. I hugged her, told her I loved her, walked out and cut some holly from her huge holly bush and drove out ‘Grandma’s lane’ for the last time. It was bittersweet and still is. She is in such a much better place now. She can breath freely now. She isn’t old anymore. She is with Jesus. She is praising her Savior face to face.
And though I will miss her I praise God that she is resting with Him and that I will see her again someday and join her in praise around the throne.
Sew a Fine Seam
Isn’t the hope we have in Jesus so comforting? So sorry that you lost your Grandmother, but rejoicing that she is with Him!
Yes, Jennifer, such a comfort! I cannot imagine going through losing someone without that comfort!
Oh-Jill- I am sitting here bawling like a baby. What wonderful memories of your gramma. You were blessed to have her in your life. My Gramma always said that same thing- come back and see me now. Maybe that’s what hit me so hard. God bless you and your family as you travel this road. I know she is free and happy and doesn’t need prayers anymore. I will pray for you instead. xo Diana
Thank you Diana! You are such a wonderful friend – God bless you!
Jill, We who had these precious women in our lives have been truly blessed. My “Ma” went to be with Jesus over 20 years ago. There is never a day I don’t thank God for putting her in my life for a season. May God bless and keep you. I am praying for you and your family. Love, Regena
Amen, Regena! God is so good to us!
I’m so sorry about your Grandma…but she is in a better place. When someone that age passes away, many people say it is a blessing. Maybe it is…but they are still missed and the sadness is the same. We recently lost my FIL and my kids have still not really accepted it. My prayers are with you Jill…
Thanks Ann. So bittersweet. You know it’s best for them and you are happy for them. But a big part of life has ended. It will never be quite the same. Oh the memories! I’m so blessed to have such wonderful memories. and even more blessed to have the assurance of meeting her again in heaven.
Oh, Jill….I only wish I could have known your Grandma…she certainly must have been a sweet lady, judging from knowing your Mother and from what you have to say about Grandma. I hope I can live so that my grandchildren will speak as kindly about me. My sympathy on your loss, and confidence you will see her again…in Heaven.
ps…LOVE the pictures. They tell a story with no words at all!
Thank you Jane! Grandma was one of the sweetest ladies around – and the funniest! She always did something or said something that made us laugh. and she took it so well 🙂 She was the best!
Jill, your post moved me to tears. It sounds like you were incredibly blessed to have a loving and kind grandma. I am so sorry to hear that she has passed away. I hope that happy memories keep her alive in your mind and your heart until you shall meet again.
Amy, I was crying while I wrote it. My sister wrote a much longer post with many more memories – I just couldn’t do it last night. I am so thankful we have the promise of seeing our loved ones again!
Oh Jill, I’m sorry you have lost your grandma. I love your stories and memories of her. What a joy the godly women who went before us were. I am just so happy to know that our loss of those who’ve gone to the arms of Jesus ahead of us is only temporary because we have the certainty of eternity to look forward to. I hope your family and friends will be a huge comfort to you as you all say “good-bye” to your grandma together.
Liz
Thank you Liz. My sister wrote a longer post with many more memories of Grandma – you can read it at http://www.adelightfulglow.com if you are interested. I was thinking lots of them but when I wrote my post last night my tears were keeping me from seeing my computer screen, so I kept it short.
Thank you so much for your support – you are a wonderful friend!
Thank you, Jill, for this post. I love it. Precious memories, how they linger. How they ever flood my soul. So thankful for the Blessed Hope we have through Jesus Christ the Lord. Thinking of Grandma and her reunion with Grandpa and all those little babies in the family that are there with them. And seeing JESUS our WONDERFUL SAVIOR!!!
Mom I had thought about all those babies today! Oh how fun for Grandma to be getting to know them and hold them!
I am so sorry for your loss Jill. It sounds like your grandma was a very special lady. I know she is singing with the angels right now, but it is still difficult for those that will miss her. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Thank you Lisa, she was a very special lady! Thanks so much for your prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss, Jill. 🙁 This was an absolutely beautiful and inspiring post and I thank you for sharing it with us. It sounds like you have made some amazing memories with your grandma, and that makes you one lucky lady! Take care 🙂
Yes, Britni, I was very very blessed to have such a sweet loving Grandma. She will be so missed but we are so happy that she is not suffering here.
Jill, my deepest condolences. What amazing timing that I read this post. My mom was just crying a bit last night for my own Grandma Mary. She passed away in March at the age of ninety four and I related to many of the words in this post. The feelings you have for your Grandma are similiar to mine, and I also remember my Grandma whispering ‘come back’ when I said good-bye. Loss is hard. It doesn’t matter if we know they go to heaven or that they are now in peace. There’s still an empty place where they once were and this is something I see with my Mom. I’m encouraging her to talk more openly about Grandma because it’s a wonderful way to celebrate her life. But she still has a hard time. I think when she reminises out loud about Grandma it helps transform her sadness into peace and acceptance.
I’m thinking of you and saying a special prayer for your Grandmother–she sounds like such a wonderful woman.
Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)
Thank you Leslie! I so agree – loss is hard. No matter that they are old and ready to go, no matter that they are in a better place – it is still hard on us left here and we have to morn. Thank you so much for your kind words and your prayers!