Thank You, O My Father

This morning, my family laid Grandma to rest with a graveside service, and then a memorial service at 1st CRC.  It was a beautiful service, though it has really hit me since I got home just how hard it is to say goodbye.  Grandma was a steady and steadfast presence throughout my life, and I especially recall her strength and faith in the face of death, whenever she would lose someone close to her.  It was jarring that this time, she was the one being laid to rest, the one being mourned and celebrated.  It's the start of a new era, an era in which my dad, uncles and aunts are fast becoming the oldest generation in their family and in which my grandparents are all gone.


I was blessed to be a part of this memorial service, and was able to help provide special music, singing a  hymn with my brother and sister, as well as my cousins Luke and Sarah.  Grandma loved hymns--she was constantly singing or humming while she'd work, and she imparted this love of hymns to her children and grandchildren.  In fact, her last hour of life was spent surrounded by my dad and his siblings as they sang hymns to her.  The hymn we sang was "There is a Redeemer" by Keith and Melody Green, and the words provide a wonderful comfort and assurance even as today we grieve and shed tears for a woman we dearly love and miss.  I've shared the words here:




There is a Redeemer, 
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, 
Holy One!

Thank you oh my Father, 
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.

Jesus my Redeemer, 
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Hope for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my Father, 
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory, 
I will see His face,
There I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my Father, 
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit, 
'Til the work on Earth is done.