Death...a Blessing

I learned this past week that death can be a blessing.  My grandfather, Arthell Moore, Sr., passed away last Tuesday at 1:11am.  He was 84 years old, had a career in the military, fathered ten children with his wife of 62 years, and was an absolute rock of a man.  I never saw him drink.  I never heard him curse.  I barely ever heard him even raise his voice.  Wherever he went, he commanded attention and respect...not vocally, but simply by the presence of his integrity.  And all of this was the fruit of his unwavering faith in God.  I pray that, one day, I can be half the man that my grandfather was. 

So - you may ask - what was the blessing?  During the latter part of his life, my grandfather fell pray to numerous health issues, especially concerning his heart.  His death was the end months of suffering, bedridden.  But it's funny.  Even in all those months of suffering, his personality never changed.  His sense of humor still remained.  His integrity was still intact.  Above all, his faith in God was unmovable.  As the family gathered together over the past week, wonderful lore concerning "Daddy" was exchanged, laughed about, cried over, and re-told consistently.  Though tears were shed, we the family received the greatest sense of relief and blessing from three things. 1) We got to share time and space with undoubtedly one of the most special men God has ever created.  2) Daddy isn't suffering anymore.  3) Daddy is experiencing eternal community with the father - something that our human emotions and words cannot even begin to touch or comprehend. 

I take great comfort in knowing that I will see him again.

SRay