If Gramma Could Talk Today

Gramma would say thank you!

I have been around senior adults my entire life. My father was a baptist preacher and I spent most weeks with many “grandparents” that were in those churches and they treated me as their own. My mom has worked in senior care for 20+ years and my first job was working in an assisted living having dinner with senior adults every night.

One of the saddest things I have seen in my time around senior adults is when they spend their last days alone, with minimal care and no family. Imagine spending your life caring for your children and then not having that in return in your final years.

Esther was blessed. She had three children and three in law children that loved her very much. They focused time and energy to make sure she had great proper care. They would fly around the country if she need anything. Esther was beautiful and wanted her hair and clothes to like nice and even when she didn't quite understand what was going on, her children poured energy and focus to make sure she knew she looked BEAUTIFUL. We all got to spend time playing games with Esther. She could beat at statue at a staring contest and loved to make others laugh.

I know for a fact that if she could speak today she would say thank you, to her caregivers, to her children and in laws, her grandchildren and many more. IT honors GOD when we honor our parents. It honors God when we take care of those who cant take care of themselves. Lisa, Laurie, Matt well done.

Gramma would say “Dont worry about it!”

I am convinced that life down on earth would be such a better place if we could have the same perspective that Esther has today. She has a perspective that we could only dream of. We fight and we bicker and we complain about so many things that just dont matter. We spend time making enemies and we argue with our own family even at times. We waste time on perfecting things that dont matter and worrying about things that wont amount to anything. Its what we do as humans.

But the day Esther entered into heaven, she saw what really matters. She saw Jesus face to face. She saw LOVE in it’s purest form. I imagine there is a moment she stopped and thought to herself, I cant believe all the things I was worried about. In light of Jesus it just didnt matter.

So lets pretend that hear from Esther today and she would say “Dont worry about it, God’s got it”. Think of all the things you have fought about over the last few weeks and the things you are worrying about right now. Does it really matter? Some things may matter, but certainly not all of it. Lets do what the apostle Paul says

The New International Version Chapter 3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Today Esther has uninhibited focus on all that matters... its Jesus and His Gospel. She has a front row seat each day as God waters the flowers, feeds the sparrow, and watches over her beloved family. If we want to honor Esther, then lets do that.

Gramma would say, “If only you could see me now.”

I have attended over 200 funerals as a pastor and a pastors kid. It has become a part of my life. I have been to funerals of rejoicing and celebrating of life, and also funerals of sorrow and tragedy. I cannot remember a graveside service in my existence that my father was at that he does not sing the same song every time. I wont sing this song today, although I could by memory, but let me read a few of the lyrics.

Our prayers have been answered I finally arrived The healing that had been delayed Is now realized No one's in a hurry There's no schedule to keep We're all enjoying Jesus Just sitting at His feet If you could see me now I'm walking streets of gold If you could see me now I'm standing tall and whole If you could see me now You'd know I've seen His face

If you could see me now You'd know the pain's erased You wouldn't want me To ever leave this place If only you could see me now My light and temporary trials Have worked out for my good To know it brought Him glory When I misunderstood Though we've had our sorrows They can never compare To what Jesus has in store for us No language can share

Esther has no more issues with her memory, she has no more sickness in her body, she's moving around better than she ever has been before. Gos has restored her to the way she we always suppose to be. Losing a loved one is so hard. The pain at times can be so unbearable even, but she would not want to come back for anything. While it is sad, this should bring us comfort. Scripture says this

The New International Version Chapter 4

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Notice scripture does not say WE DO NOT MOURN!. We do mourn. we cry and stay awake at night even not having our loved ones. When Jesus heard his best friend Lazarus had passed away, he wept. He mourned! But we do not mourn like those who have no hope! We mourn with understanding that sweet Esther is having a staring contest with the heroes of the faith and she and David are better than ever.

This leads to the last thing I think Gramma would says.

Gramma would say, “Follow Jesus Today.”

All the incredible things that we know Gramma is experiencing, she would not want you to miss this.

I just spent a week and a half with the Apelts in Alaska a month or so ago. There is not one person that I have not told about that trip. It was absolutely amazing. But the incredible and majestic things I saw cannot compare with what Esther sees today. I told everyone that “HEY YOU HAVE TO GO”, “YOU HAVE TO SEE THE GLACIERS AND THE INCREDIBLE THINGS I SAW”.

Alaska isn't cheap though. Not everyone can take time off work and just leave and go see it.

Well, Heaven isn't cheap either. Scripture tells us the only way to get to heaven is through the righteousness of Christ. Scripture also tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If thats true, then we are all in trouble.

But here is the good news. God provided a way for you and I to have hope. God provided a way for Esther to be with Him today. It was through His son Jesus Christ. Esther believed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and His righteousness covered ALL of her sins and failures.

Esther would beg of you today, please dont miss this. Follow Jesus today and allow His righteousness to cover you. All you have to do is ask.

1 John 1:9 says this.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I believe this with all of my heart and Esther did too. But now her faith has become sight and unfortunately she cannot speak to us today, but if she could these are the things she would say

Let us pray