At the beginning of this week one of my best friends bid good-bye to her dad, Amsey Bowman
Today we mourn the loss of my Uncle Myron Martin
So much opportunity once again to contemplate the Inevitable Must of dust-to-dust!
"...before the dust returns to the ground from which it came,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Eccles.12:7
Death is The Great Divider
Stealing loved ones from our touch
But God is a Greater Provider
And He loves us oh, so much
Death is a grim reminder
Of what waits for one and all
But God’s love is always kinder
Than Death, when it comes to call
Death keeps us humbly thankful
For life’s most commonplace day
God’s grace and mercy are faithful
No matter what comes our way…
Death keeps us gladder for gardens
For blue skies sprawled overhead
Daisy and clover-strewn meadows
Sunrise and sunset, bronze-red
Death makes us think about others
Before its kiss chills our brow
Let’s all be sisters and brothers
Love one another here-now
Death makes us hurt for the hurting
Who will be next; who can tell
Death makes us think about Heaven
Death makes us think about Hell
Death is a breath-stealing river
Death is That Last Stepping-stone
When Life is returned to its Giver
Where God is still on His throne
© Janet Martin
Eccles.12:1-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of adversity come,
and the years approach of which you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them,”
2before the sunlight, moon, and stars are darkened,
and the clouds return after the rain,
3on the day the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when those grinding cease because they are few,
and those watching through windows see dimly,
4when the doors to the street are shut
and the sound of the mill fades away,
when one rises at the sound of a bird,
and all the daughters of song grow faint,
5when men fear the heights and dangers of the road,
when the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper loses its spring,
and the caper berry shrivels—
for then man goes to his eternal home,
and mourners walk the streets.
6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped,
and the golden bowl is crushed,
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken at the well,
7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
