Having just returned from a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with my family, it’s so easy for me to count my blessings. Being back in the States with my family was truly special, even though it was in fact a result of my grandpa’s death. It’s too bad these types of occasions are often necessary for us to be reminded of the many things we take for granted.
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| The road to grandpa's farm (it's on the right) |
I want to share a little bit about my grandpa as his legacy continues to be on my mind even though it’s now been over two weeks since God called him home. Fortunately for me, the funeral arrangements had to be made with consideration for the Thanksgiving holiday which allowed me make it home in time for the funeral service. His health had been rapidly declining in recent months, but we were not expecting him to leave us quite so soon. I received the news via e-mail from my father because it can be so difficult for us to connect given that we are at opposite ends of the world. The Indian AF was very gracious and understanding of my request to return to the U.S. for the funeral and I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate my grandfather’s life with my family. In retrospect, his departure could not have been better timed as my entire family was able to gather together for the first time in ages. We shared many stories and memories as we acknowledged God’s provision for grandpa and for us. Grandpa was unwavering in his devotion, loyalty, and faithfulness to family. He was a family man who delighted in celebrating birthdays or graduations with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren or cheering them on at sporting events. His support of our athletic pursuits was only surpassed by his desire to see us succeed in the classroom and earn college degrees.
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| Sunrise on the farm |
Grandpa also experienced many of the most difficult challenges in life. He said goodbye to many loved ones (family and friends), lived through the Great Depression, and served in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corps during WWII. My grandpa knew about sacrifice because he experienced it on many occasions which it seemed to have had a profound effect on him such that he truly learned to enjoy the small things and live within his means. Beyond that, grandpa knew what it meant to count the many blessings of a faithful God so dawn of each day brought with it hope and expectation.
In addition to work and family obligations, grandpa was an active participant in various types of community and church service, though he never sought the limelight. He was happy to volunteer wherever he could be of service because what mattered to grandpa was not his status in the eyes of man, but rather his standing before Almighty God. He humbly reflected Christ’s love so it was appropriate that God quietly called him home during an afternoon nap. Grandpa is now in the arms of His Savior enjoying true and lasting peace.
Though it has been difficult to accept the fact that he is no longer physically present, there is comfort in knowing that I will see my grandpa again. The burial of his ashes and the funeral service brought forth many emotions, the chief one of course being sadness. Yet despite the sorrow, I am confident that my relationship with my grandpa will one day be gloriously renewed. I’m thankful for my grandpa’s trust in Jesus and that this faith has been passed on to succeeding generations.
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| Grandpa's favorite dining establishment - White Pines |
Nonetheless I cannot deny the very real and seemingly overwhelming sense of loss that comes with physical death. It simply does not fit well within the reality of our hearts. That’s true of many other experiences in life, but death is the one inescapable fact of life. It is something every one of us must face one day, yet we often deny, ignore, or distract ourselves from its power. I think the reason we do this is because deep down we know that life was not intended to be temporal. God did not create us to have a physical beginning and a physical end. Therefore, separation from our physical bodies is as incomprehensible, as it is sad and scary—all natural human reactions that cross all cultural and religious barriers.
The same day I received the news that my grandfather died, I was driving down the road and came upon an Indian funeral procession. Cattle and goats following behind the procession were eating flower petals that were strewn along the road behind the procession. Ahead of them men were walking on either side of a small van. As we approached, we began to hear rhythmic music that kept getting louder as we got closer. The back door of the van was open and visible inside were men sitting on either side of a covered body, whose head was sticking out awkwardly from the back of the vehicle. In front of the slow-moving procession were men dancing in a trance-like fashion to the loud, somber music.
This scene was etched into my mind as I thought about my grandpa and considered our natural human responses to death. It is so clear to me that we were not created for life AND death. Death is certainly universal, but it is not natural or at least it ought not to be. We react negatively to it because God did not create life whilst purposing for death would follow. Instead his creation was good, but our corruption has turned his good creation bad and thus we suffer physical death because of our disobedience to God. In spite of this, we know deep in our hearts that life bringing death is not true life, which is why God has graciously provided us with a “second chance” through His Son Jesus Christ. He is the one whom God has empowered to take the punishment of sin on our behalf and thereby restore us unto Himself. While we still have to experience physical death because we are unable in ourselves to undo the corruption of our sin, Christ’s suffering enables our souls to be preserved from the eternal condemnation we deserve for our rebellion against God. For the one who trusts in Christ, we can be assured that though we die (physically), our souls will live eternally (in Christ). In this time of grieving and remembrance, I cling to the hope that my God will never leave or forsake His people. I thank God that my grandpa knew this truth and therefore we celebrate his death because he is now with His Lord.
