My Father's House & Things Unseen

I join you tonight from my dad's house in West Palm Beach, in my old bedroom which at some point in the past 15 years transformed into his office.

On the wall above my dad's computer is a collage of photos from the night I graduated high school in 199_. (Insert a year if you wish, but please be nice!!) In the top left corner, there's a shot of me putting my cap on for the first time. Next to that is a photo of my sister pretending (I think/hope!) to pick her nose. On the bottom row, I'm standing with my mom in one picture, and then in between my Grandma (mom's side) and my Grandmother (dad's side). Each of these wonderful women have since passed.

I'm most drawn to the photo of me & my Grandpa, and reflecting on all of the great times we had together. He's a true Southern Gentleman, an eternal optimist, a comedian, an entertainer, an animal lover, a former boxer, a Veteran, an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend.

Most importantly, undoubtedly he's a man of God, and is now enjoying the grace, mercy and salvation that is extended to us all when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Of that, I am certain. He has been reunited with my Grandma and my mom. He has met his namesake, my son Matthew, and I know the first words from Great-Grandpa to Great Grandson were (in a heavy southern accent) "Gimme some sugar, Son!" Meaning, he wanted a hug and kiss.

As I sat on the plane today, I remembered something I said to my dad on one of the many flights we made when I was a little girl. I must've been about 4 or 5 on this particular trip. Anyway, I looked out the window at the sun rising above the blanket of soft, white, poofy clouds and I said: "Daddy, God sure does have a pretty place up here!" If only I knew how beautiful it truly is, and now Grandpa is enjoying it in a way I can't even begin to imagine right now. (But someday I will!)

Grandpa's funeral is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22. While we'll be saying our final goodbye to our beloved patriach, our family members & friends who have already passed will be welcoming him HOME, to our Heavenly Father's House.

John 14:1-3
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; Trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New International Version)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.