Yesterday my dad's oldest brother (and Wayne's father) was laid to rest.
He is an uncle fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews
for his good-natured, uncomplaining and optimistic outlook
though his life had many hardships!
We cousins are in a stage where funerals have become our meeting place
and with these gatherings comes the solemn reminder
our childhood playmates are not children anymore,
all of us under the influence of Time's unflinching touch
and we are reminded of this truth;
that death can come to the young
but it will come to the old
and the realization is dawning that our generation
is on the heels of the one we are,
one by one, laying to rest!
A ripe old age turns to mist
in death's twinkling of an eye!
So then, as we turn again
to shoulder our yokes of scarred delight
pray we do not lose sight
of the only payoff that counts
when, for all 'momentary mountains/afflictions,
the eternal payoff is unveiled!
Therefore we do not lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away,
yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Just beyond what we can see ...
(No matter how bitter/sweet)
lies Payoff's Eternity...
Below, a bit of 'sweet'.
This dog can be sassy and silly one minute
and sound asleep at my feet the next!!😂
Though the payoff of push and shove
Through ups and downs of life and love
May appear, to the sphere of sight
Like a showcase of scarred delight
While grappling with the yoke of truth
By fresh parades of fading youth
And though the payoff may seem small
For prayers that rise and tears that fall
Where today holds no guarantees
That Circumstance will aim to please
The Hierarchy of Hope and Dream
We nurture with fondest esteem
…and though the payoff drags its feet
Where hold and letting go compete
Something about a gaping grave
When mourners meet, its scene to brave
Reminds us with sobriety
Of a payoff we cannot see
The payoff for man’s hope and hurt
Is not a fresh-turned mound of dirt
Is not a final farewell tear
Is not the boon of now and here
Oh no! Death is the turn of key
Where push and shove/life and love’s payoff will be
So then, before it is too late
Pray we would reevaluate
The quests and payments we applaud
And rest our confidence in God
Who will, for all eternity
Unveil what the payoff will be
© Janet Martin
We sang two of my favourite hymns yesterday
and Abide With Me
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