Nyah-nyah! … and I Mean That in the Best Way.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21

Sandy was one of the first kids in my youth group in Manistee when I started it back in the late 70’s, and we have kept in touch all these years. Since we first met, Marty and I have had three children and four moves. Sandy has gotten married (I wrote a song and sang it at their wedding.) and had one child and two moves.

Sandy and Paul’s present house in Indiana is at about the halfway point in my drive between Louisville and our family summer home in Manistee, and often I would break up the trip by staying there. Sandy and I will stay up ’til the wee hours of the morning, “catching up.” Sometimes when Sandy was back in the Manistee area to visit her family, she would carve out some time so we could take a long walk and “catch up” some more.

Lately, Sandy’s mom was taken to a medical care facility in Traverse City after a fall. Sandy asked me to go to “T.C.” and sing for her, and I said sure. Sandy spoke to the director, and I wound up singing a concert for all the residents. I was chatting with Sandy’s mom afterwards when her other daughter Sue popped in. Sue was fighting cancer at the time and was a little weak, but she still seemed in good spirits. The three of us had a nice talk about music, God, and our faith, and how the older we get, the more precious the idea of heaven becomes. I shared with them a couple of encouraging dreams I’ve had lately related to our eternal home, and I think they were encouraged, too. I later told Sandy that I would love to sing for her mom again; maybe we could do it together next time she was in the area.

A couple of weeks ago I got a text from Sandy, saying Sue was in hospice care and was close to the end. Sandy was planning to come up to see her that Saturday to tell her goodbye, but she wasn’t sure she would get there in time. She asked if I would be available go and sing to her before Saturday, and I said of course. Because Sue was being given morphine, Sandy wasn’t sure when she would be awake, but a few phone calls later, we determined that I should go sing to her, anyway; even if she was sleeping, she could still hear and be blessed by the music of Scripture.

When I got to the little house and the friend let me in, I found Sue lying on the couch, pale, skin-and-bones thin, head wrapped in a scarf, and eyes closed. I sat by her and took her hand. She opened her eyes, and when our eyes met, her face broke into a huge, almost smug grin.

The words she whispered were barely audible, but I understood them clearly.

“I’m going to get there before you do,” she breathed, smirking as if to say, “Nyah-nyah, I get to go to heaven soon, and you have to wait!”

I faked a pout. “Oh, I don’t know about that,” I said defiantly. (I’d almost gotten into an accident on the way over. – None of us is promised tomorrow, are we?) We both chuckled, and I got out my guitar and sang her some songs about the peace of God, His incredible love, and the promises He always keeps. Sue drifted in and out of sleep, but she seemed not only peaceful but also, in a strangely wonderful way, excited. I could almost envy her.

Sandy did make it in time. I think Sue was waiting for her. She went to be with Jesus at about 8:30 Saturday night. And now her whole being is full of life and light, along with that smile that remained radiant until the end of her earthly existence.

Today it seems there’s more trouble, more lies and hatred in the world than any time in history, that I can remember in my lifetime, anyway. I started this blog in an attempt to spread “divine perspective” and get readers’ minds on the things that really count – eternal things. If our minds are on those things, we won’t have so many battles with rage, discontent, frustration, and despair.

These are the things to remember and focus on: That we were created in the image of our Creator, to reflect His glory. And even though we have all failed miserably to live up to our divine purpose, we can be forgiven, washed clean, and given a new heart, a renewed mind, a new body, and the “abundant life” we were created for. Because even though justice demands a penalty be paid for sin, God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to pay it, so we don’t have to. When Jesus was nailed to the Cross, all our sins were nailed there with Him. If we accept His sacrifice as our atonement, we can be forgiven and start a brand-new life – “born again” – adopted into God’s family as His child. And as Jesus was raised to life on the third day after His death, we (those who have placed their faith in Him) will be raised with Him, to eternal life!

That’s what put that beautiful smile on the face of a woman on the threshold of eternity, the joy of knowing that “death” for her would be temporary – then real life would start and never end.

It’s my prayer that everyone reading this has that kind of faith, and if not, that we can discuss it. (My email is bascha3870@yahoo.com.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are not our own, we were bought with a price – the price You paid. We could never thank You enough, but we will praise and serve you throughout eternity, in the life You died to give us. Until then, keep our faith strong in this life, in Your name. Amen.