135. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, in God's dwelling place, there is no more death or mourning or pain.
31 March 2021
No more death or mourning or pain.
Revelation 21
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
It was morning 27 December 2018, when I opened my phone at 7:19AM I saw the text message at 1:37AM from my niece, "Mommy (our eldest sister), tito picoy.. mama passed away today."
The night before, I was in the hospital; my younger sister (next to me) was in pain and her only daughter was struggling to comfort her mom. I was helpless looking at the situation. I prayed for the Lord not to prolong the agony of my younger sister.
23 September 2018, I learned from my wife Marlou that my younger sister texted her that she was in the hospital. I came to visit her later, not immediately because Marlou was having anxiety episode and it was just the two of us empty nesters.
My younger sister was confined twice, if I remember it right, before she was rushed to the hospital that night of 26 December 2017.
She had chemotherapy twice and the prognosis of the doctor was promising. My sister even went out for Christmas day dinner.
During my visits at the hospital, at times our eldest sister and her son were also there, I prayed for healing for my younger sister.
My younger sister was asthmatic when we were growing up and she was an overcomer.
Her husband became a kidney transplant patient few years ago, and I learned that one time my brother-in-law had to be rushed to the hospital, his wife, my younger sister, carried him on her back. When I prayed one time at the hospital, maybe during my younger sister's birthday, 1 October, I begged the Lord to heal her as a reward for her taking care of her husband. When my younger sister was confined, her husband could not stay long because of his kidney condition.
On 30 December 2018 on the day of the internment, when I arrived at the memorial chapel, my niece informed me there was no Pastor available to give the message for the memorial service at the memorial garden, because it was a Sunday. I told her to ask her Dad and our eldest sister if they would allow me to give the message for the memorial service.
They agreed, and also my eldest sister told me to ride with the funeral carriage. I asked the driver to play "Amazing Grace" from my cell phone during the travel to the memorial garden.
I gave the message at the memorial service, and my niece gave testimony about her mom's Christian faith.
Sharing my reflection 9 November 2017.
"Several times before, I have been asked to lead the opening prayer during memorial service given for members of our church and I would quote verse 4 above.
On my personal level, it was my mother who passed away most recently, after my oldest brother and my father.
What I would remember when I was young and there was death in the clan, family members would normally wear black and the mood was gloomy. That time, for us children we must not be causing noise.
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
Lord, ... "You are the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in You will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in You will never die." Yes, Lord, "I believe this" (John 11:25-26). Lord, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27). This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
One day, my children's children will say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; for him, in God's dwelling place, there is no more death or mourning or pain. Amen.
May you be blessed with God's Word.
Maraming salamat.
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