We talk a great deal about what we think we want to do before the end of our lives.  Our “bucket” list (if you will), and while it is important to have goals, to make plans, to prepare to LIVE, it is equally—YES— MORE IMPORTANT—that we Walk by Faith, in Obedience to the Father’s will.

Truly, if we are saved, if we have received Christ, then we are HIS, and we would do well to NEVER FORGET, to NEVER walk away from SERVING & FOLLOWING HIM.

I received a message, a group of words placed together, expressing gratitude for a letter I wrote, for the kindness I spoke within the lines of that letter.  As I sat reflecting upon the ones who I considered, who I wrote to when penning the letter, I am reminded of the relationship we share and what began this friendship, this love.  Have we ever considered what our lives would be like if we lived all alone, totally separated and ostracized from all civilization?

Foremost, we would not know the love of God!

Without relationship, without companionship, without friendship, without love—our existence, our walk alongside Jesus would be nonexistent.

WITHOUT JESUS, we would remain—TOTALLY ALONE.

I once read these words, spoken by a man simply called John.

“God desires the least degree of obedience and submissiveness more than all those services you think of rendering him.”

When the Holy Spirit of God speaks, Listen.

When the Holy Spirit convicts, Obey.

In a previous writing, one written many months & days ago, I spoke of a special day, one I am so glad to have LIVED.

In the wee hours of 3 March, the day our beloved grandmother went home.  The nursing care facility staff had removed a bed, Ms. Lois’ bed (and the removal of this sweet lady to make room for us, for grandma’s family was sad but necessary).  We had space to move about, and the door to the hallway remained shut more than open throughout the night and into the new day, into that morning when Jesus took grandma home.

See a frail body, so tiny, inside the huge bed.

See a group surrounding her, sitting on the edge, sharing her bed, with her.

Hear words, strung together to make thoughts, comments, questions.

Hear the silence, the lack of laughter, inside that room, the day grandma went home to be with Jesus.

Living . . . Grandma was a person who LIVED—Robustly.  Grandma was a  “life-dweller.” She was a walker, a talker, a hugger, a laughter-filled woman, and most of all—our Grandma Hall—was a Believer, a Christian.

How do we ever say goodbye, properly, to someone who is going home, who is leaving?

How do we ever eulogize their LIFE, ever speak ENOUGH WORDS to speak of their LIFE.

We cannot.

That is why each of us must LIVE each day we are afforded to LIVE . . . as though LIVING our farewell address.

In life we speak of “divine moments,” of living every moment of every day as if it might be our last—BUT DO WE REALLY LIVE THAT WAY!

Yes, we talk of “making the most of our breaths,” of living all our years, our days, knowing that we don’t know which one will be our last—BUT DO WE REALLY LIVE THAT WAY!

I have, of late, contemplated the end . . . the leaving . . . the going there, HOME . . . the no longer remaining here, but what it will be like to GO HOME TO HEAVEN.

That morning, 3 March, grandma went home to be with the Lord.

That morning, grandma left us, but only for a short amount of time, because we too will go, will follow her home.

We did not need to wait for Grandma Hall to tell us where she was going, where we could find her.

SHE LIVED IT EVERY DAY.

YES—SHE LIVED . . . AS THOUGH LIVING A FAREWELL ADDRESS . . . Through her actions, reactions, words, and through her daily walk through LIFE.

That morning, before she left us, I received an opportunity to sit near her, to sit beside her, next to her, gently resting upon the edge of her bed.

That morning, she was so weak, as if the “life” had gone out of her.

That morning, she spoke in a hushed, whispered voice, one so quietly spoken that I had to lean my ear next to her mouth to hear.

That morning, I never missed the CLARITY of her WORDS, of her QUESTION.

“Nancy, do you think Jesus will come for me?”

Clearly spoken words, ones that reflected her faith, her pending journey home to heaven, her desire to go, HER FAREWELL ADDRESS.

“Yes, grandma, I believe Jesus will.”

“Yes, grandma, I believe the Bible tells us so.”

My assurance and response seemed to comfort her, for her eyes closed.  She remained with us that morning for a few more minutes, tending to her children who needed her comfort, faithfully remaining until each person had an opportunity to say “Goodbye.”

How in the world do we ever say “Goodbye” to someone we love?

We do not; We cannot.

We, who believe, simply say, “Adieu . . . Until We Meet Again . . . Together In Heaven, With Jesus.”

Joshua was a man who knew he was leaving, knew he needed to speak a farewell address to the people, to prepare them for what they must face.  No amount of words could ever be spoken to ready them; he knew.  So, Joshua spoke about the place where he was going, a place they too could follow him, could come too, on their day, their final day.

See with me Joshua’s Farewell Address recorded in God’s Word.

“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed;  all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.

It shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, . . . “

(Joshua 23: 14-15a)

Chris Tomlin sang a melody titled “Home,” one that speaks of heaven, of a real place where the saints of God will go once life is finished.  “I’m going home . . . Home/Thank You God, I’m going Home (to be with You).”

Grandma went home that morning, and one day, I will see her again, when I too go home.

Maybe you will see her, see me, too.

God’s Holy Word promises us this truth.

Joshua spoke of this truth before he left this world.

Joshua LIVED this TRUTH before he left this world.

May we too, know Jesus Christ as our Savior.

May we too, LIVE out this TRUTH (too) before we leave this world.

May we LIVE . . . TODAY, AS THOUGH LIVING OUR FAREWELL ADDRESS.

May we LIVE . . . TODAY, AS THOUGH LIVING OUR FINAL WORDS.

May we LIVE . . . TODAY, AS THOUGH WE WILL NEVER SPEAK AGAIN . . . THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN.

The Apostle Paul spoke to the believers in the city of Corinth, and he spoke these words through a letter written to them, sent to encourage them.  Paul wrote to remind them why they should LIVE Every Day focused upon Jesus.

Today, I leave you with Paul’s words, given to us through God’s Word.

“Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for Him [for Jesus Christ, our Savior & Lord].

For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”

(2 Corinthians 2: 8-9)

When the Holy Spirit of God speaks, Listen.

When the Holy Spirit convicts, Obey.