5.24.2009

Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home sweet home.
And all three of my munchkins agree!

Me and the kids spent the last week at my Grandparents for my Grandpa's funeral.  It was a l-o-n-g 10 whole hours of a trip.  My honey of a husband drove us all the way there and then hopped a plane back.  It was good to see family.  My dad hadn't seen my kids for almost a year, so I'm just grateful that we all got to be together.

My Grandpa's funeral was everything he would have wanted it to be.  It was simple and so beautiful.  His favorite songs were played and I balled like a baby through the slide show.  His funeral glorified his Jesus, just as his life did.  He had always wanted me to sing "Beulah Land" for his funeral, but I really couldn't keep it together enough to sing.  I read him my letter instead and I asked the one thing I knew my Grandpa would have wanted to ask...

"Do you know where you will go when you die?"

Because you can know.  My Grandpa did.  He breathed his last breath while the song "The Hills of Heaven are Calling Me" played on his recorder.  He went home to be with his closest Friend, his beloved King.  Jesus was his everything. 

There is a small bible tucked in the console of my Grandpa's car.  One of the pages is folded in, and this one verse is outlined with his pen,
"...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  Romans 10: 9
Jesus promises heaven to all who confess with their mouth that he is Lord and believe in him--the Son of God.

As I was writing this, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper to me, 

"What are you confessing with your mouth today?

Are you confessing "Jesus is Lord" over your children?
Are you confessing "Jesus is Lord" over your marriage?
Are you confessing "Jesus is Lord" over your everyday doings?"

Oh, Jesus, help me to proclaim you as Lord over every area of my life!  Thank you for giving me the promise of heaven.  Thank you for giving us all the certainty that

We can know where our eternal home will be.

And there's no place like home sweet home...

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16 comments:

  1. crittyjoyMay 25, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    No, I don't think there is a sweeter place than Home. With our beloved Jesus.

    I am so glad his funeral was a celebration of His Homecoming....to think He is with his beloved Jesus today is such a beautiful thought. I am sure it brings a spark of joy amidst your sadness.

    ((hug))

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  2. CarrieMay 25, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    So glad you all made it home, but had a wonderful reunion with your family :)

    A great testimony of his life and how we should be living ours! Welcome home!

    {I have a Lovely Blog Award for you on my blog, but I knew you were gone...just wanted to let you know...hope you can relax today and celebrate HOME!}

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  3. Myra @ My Blessed LifeMay 25, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    What a wonderful tribute to your Grandpa! Your blog is such an encouragement to me! Glad you're home!!

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  4. KristinMay 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    Glad to hear from you again Joye. I missed your encouraging and inspirational words, but I'm glad that you had a good trip.

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  5. Miss CharleneMay 25, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    Aw, thats a beautiful post. I'm so sorry that your grandpa passed away, but he sounded like he was a special man. And none of this lasts, he's waiting in eternity where there's no more death. How glorious!

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  6. AnonymousMay 25, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    I am so glad you are back! I have missed your Blessed words of encouragement all week.
    I thought about popping over here a few times and telling you I missed you, but that would have been silly right! you were gone...anyway...
    I hoping you are ok..and it is good to have you back again..Shi~

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  7. He & Me + 3May 25, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Oh Joye...you encourage me so. Thank you for this awesome post. Beautiful. I will remember to confess Jesus Is Lord over everything. Powerful.

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  8. SummerMay 26, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    Oh Joye....I sure do wish we lived closer to one another.....Your faith is so beautiful and you live it out each and every day. I find it hard living in a big city to find people with such strong beliefs. Sometimes, it seems almost impossible being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of "fast living" and immoral things...but, I certainly do my best to glorify my God.

    I hope you have a beautiful week...

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  9. VeronicaMay 26, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    Joye,

    Glad to hear that you and your little ones made it home safely. I missed reading your great posts! Hope you have a great week, getting back into the swing of things at home!

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  10. Jennifer Nordin, LMT, CPTMay 26, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    Welcome home, Joye! You were missed, dear blogging sister...:)

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  11. UnknownMay 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM

    Joye,

    What a beautiful post! Thank you for commenting so I could meet you.

    AMEN! There is no place like home!

    Praising God for the hope we have in Christ Jesus!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  12. Sandy @ The Scoop on BalanceMay 26, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    Thanks for the sweet comment you left on my blog today. Your blog is beautiful. I love it.

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandpa, but thankful he is with the Lord. How awesome is that.

    And I love that you hear the Spirit whisper to you...very cool.

    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  13. Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.comMay 26, 2009 at 11:55 PM

    What a legacy your grandfather has left. His love pours over generations.

    No greater gift
    than the legacy
    of love ...

    Blessings.

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  14. SarahMay 27, 2009 at 12:14 AM

    Delighted to meet you and find you today! We are home as well, from the mission field, to be with my Gram when she danced into eternity. My hubby and I did the memorial service and I truly can rejoice with you as you celebrated the life of your grandfather. We have a few more days home and we'll be enjoying it until we reach our final home!

    Blessings from this missionary mommy,
    Sarah Dawn

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  15. LisaShawMay 27, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    Precious, my heart is with you. I'm glad you're home and I continue to keep you in my prayers. Love you.

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  16. christy roseMay 27, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    I so agree with this entire post!

    There is no place like home!

    Jesus, I want you to be Lord of my heart and my everything!
    Amen

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