Friday, January 24, 2014

HOMECOMING DAY - A Poem For My Dad


I originally wrote this poem when my grandfather died.  But, I really find it encouraging - so, I'm publishing it as I also think about my father's homecoming!


HOMECOMING DAY

Now the night is over,
Day has just begun,
Ushered into Heaven,
I am with the Blessed One.

Many have come before me,
Others have paved the way,
The angels sing His glory,
It’s my homecoming day!

To a mansion promised,
Where tears are forever gone,
Where light and love united,
Live eternally on and on.

All the past forgotten,
As a fog that’s swallowed up,
Pain destroyed, death defied –
I now drink from the Master’s cup.

I am here because of Him,
His selfless gift of grace,
And now for eternity,
I will gaze upon His face.

Glory be His shining robes,
Honor be His crown –
My spirit sings, my soul redeemed,
In His presence I bow down.

Now the world has passed from view,
The victory’s been won –
He says, “Well done my faithful servant,
Welcome home, my precious one.”


c. Sharon Kirby
March 1, 2002


Dear Dad,

I don't think words would ever be adequate to express my feelings at your passing.  It's one of those truly bittersweet moments in life.  I will miss you a great deal, but I celebrate that you are with Jesus and I will see you again!

As we prepare for your graveside service, these would be sad days indeed if not for the sure promise of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It's a wonder to me that He came to earth to rescue us – poor, lost sinners that we are.  He gives us a love and a grace and a mercy that sometimes makes no sense to me.  We certainly don't deserve it.  But oh, how grateful I am for a Savior who saw that we needed saving!

Dad, I hope you know that I think of you often.  Please know that you are never far from my heart, that you will live there every day until I see you again.  You were a great father, and I love you very much.

I'm going to picture you in the arms of Jesus.  Or maybe just walking along together, talking about this and that.  I can see you standing up straight, with that wonderful mind of yours restored to perfect functioning.  I see your smile. And it's a sweet, sweet picture indeed.


My deepest love,
               Your daughter forever,
                    Sharon



"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself.  Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.  I am overwhelmed at the thought!"  (Job 19:25-27)

"Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord."  (2 Corinthians 5:8)

"'It is finished!  I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End…All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.'"  (Revelation 21:6-7)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever."  (Revelation 21:4)


I'm giving that a BIG AMEN!!


*What do you look forward to the most on your Homecoming Day?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

19 comments:

  1. (((Sharon))) God bless you, sister...your beautiful poem just shouts VICTORY!

    "What do you look forward to the most on your Homecoming Day?"

    Seeing Jesus face to face...

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  2. Hi Sharon, what a beautiful poem that blesses you twice now. I don't know how you would cope without the strong faith that you have. And you are inspiring so many of your blog-friends to have the same love of God and family that you have. What a gift that is to all of us.

    I am still praying for you, my sister. I know that your Dad is in a place where he can see you and love you with the pure love of God. May you be blessed with strength in the coming days, and the knowledge that your Dad is in perfect hands. The hands of God.
    Here's another {hug},
    Ceil

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  3. Sharon, what a beautiful poem of tribute. Seeing your confident assurance through this time of sorrow is a great testament of your faith. It encourages me and many others I'm sure. You remain in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you.

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  4. That's a lovely poem for both your grandfather and your father. I'm glad you're sharing it here with us. Prayers are with you and your family....

    "I am here because of Him,
    His selfless gift of grace,
    And now for eternity,
    I will gaze upon His face."
    Amen.

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  5. This really touches my heart, Sharon. I still miss both my parents. I agree that these words just shout of the victory we, as believers, have in Jesus. I also look forward to seeing my Lord and Savior face to face! Hallelujah and Amen!
    Love & Prayers~

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  6. Sharon, that is beautiful, thinking of you.

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  7. Your poem is anointed with comfort from the Lord. I'm still praying for you, dear friend, and your family too. May His healing fall upon all of you like gentle rain.

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  8. I don't know what to say anymore...this is beautiful...I think of heaven often. My dad died over 40 years ago, I was 14. I too look forward to the day we will all be together again. Prayers continue for your family. God is faithful to all generations. Love, Anita

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  9. Simply beautiful, Sharon! I am so thankful for the gift of Jesus coming, enabling us to know joy in sorrow and life in death. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I'm praying for comfort and strength for you and your family as you are missing your dad.

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  10. And now, I am crying.

    That's all I have to say right now. This was beautiful, and you have truly earned the commendation from Proverbs: "Many daughters have done nobly, but you surpass them all. "

    You are in our prayers.

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  11. You really do have a wonderful talent with your words - I think it is because you write with your heart. I know you will see again - I am sure of that. sandie

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  12. Beautiful poem you wrote, Sharon, and so appropriate for any loved one, especially your dad and grandfather, as they have their homecoming day! Beautiful letter you wrote to him too. It is so comforting to know we will see our loved ones again and get to spend eternity with them, whatever that might mean, but I think it will be awesome!!

    Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.

    That brought me great comfort after my mom's passing.

    ((((Sharon)))))

    betty

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  13. Simply beautiful, Sharon. So touching....God be with you and yours at this time.

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  14. I was so sorry Sharon, to hear about your dad passing. I know how much you love your parents and am praying for you and your family. Hugs from my heart to yours.

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  15. When beauty surfaces from the heart it is powerful. What a precious collection in honor of your Dad. Having lost both my parents (my Dad when I was 16; my mother at 27), I recognize the tell-tale signs of devotion. What better way to honor them!

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  16. Oh Sharon, I am just so sorry. How I wish I could give you words of comfort. But although words fail, I give you prayers. Words spoken and unspoken that God will comfort your heart and carry you through this time of grief.

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  17. Dear Sharon, your poem is rich with hope and beauty. A wonderful dedication to father as well as your grandfather. What peace we have to know that someday we will be reunited with our loved ones.
    Keeping you in prayer,
    Janis

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  18. Beautiful, Sharon. And so honored that you shared these very personal places with your readers. Memories of preparing my own mom's eulogy suddenly surfaced. More for us than for them, I think, when we work out what words we have in these times of loss. Bless you as your journey thus.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)