Mommy, Please Don't Cry...

Yesterday, April 15th, I attended a funeral service for a dear woman of God, Mrs. Pearl McCaw. Her funeral service was held on the day when she should have turned 88 years old.

Can I just tell you that it was one of the most beautiful funeral services I have been to in a long time. Oh the good ol' hymns we sang and the tributes that were read, and the sermon that was preached..... Fan-tas-tic! It was a time of celebration, really. Yes, of course there were lots of sad tears; and yes, we mourn her loss and we are heartbroken for her daughter and son and their spouses and the grandchildren and her surviving siblings......

But we celebrated her life, a life dedicated to the Lord, and we celebrated her home-going.... her heavenly home. I am sure her husband, her dear sweet husband, Rev. Robert McCaw, who I am honoured to say was a dear friend to Jon and me and performed our wedding ceremony, met her as she stepped from this life into the next and into the arms of Jesus. What joyous reunions were happening in the heavenly realms!

Despite the celebrations, I do, however, have a heavy heart today. Yesterday we were able to celebrate Mrs. McCaw's home-going because, well, at almost 88 years old, you expect that one's time on this earth will soon come to an end. She lived a good life. She lived her life as a child, then a young woman, then a wife, then a mother, then a grandmother.... she was a friend, a prayer warrior, a woman of God. She lived a full life.

But tomorrow, April 17th, marks the anniversary date of the death of someone else..... someone taken long before we expected..... someone taken at the tender age of almost eight....

Kristen.

Kristen is my best friend's daughter. She died eleven years ago. She was taken to Heaven quickly and unexpectedly. As far as the Lord is concerned, it was all part of His plan, for He had Kristen's life already planned out when she was knit together in her mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). All the days were ordained for Kristen and were written in His book before she was even created (Psalm 139:16).

In our timetable, Kristen was here not near long enough; but in our Lord's timetable, she was here for just the right amount of time. Do I understand it? No, I do not. And I never will. And really, I don't need to. All I need to know is that Kristen is safe in Heaven with Jesus; that she is a happy little girl, reunited with her older sister Rachel; that one day we, too, will be with them in the Promised Land.

But for those of us here, it's tough. April 17th is a hard reminder of the pain and brokenness we experience here on earth. And my heart is soooo heavy for Taimi (Kristen's mom) and for Kristen's brother and her grandparents and her uncle & aunt. No one should have to experience this pain that they bear, the tears that they shed.

I am reminded of a book that I purchased a month after her passing. It's called, "Mommy, Please Don't Cry" by Linda DeYmaz. I want to share the words of that book with you today.

Mommy, Please Don't Cry
Tender Words for Broken Hearts

by Linda DeYmaz

Mommy, please don't cry...
A beautiful angel carried me here!
I met Jesus today, Mommy!
He cradled me in His big, strong arms.
He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...
Heaven is wonderful!
Did you know the streets are made of gold?
Real gold!
I have lots of friends, Mommy.
We run and play, we giggle and laugh.
I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts!

Mommy, please don't cry...
When I fall it doesn't hurt!
There are no tears in Heaven.
I've met a man named Noah.
He told me about his big boat,
all the animals, and the very first rainbow.
Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?

Mommy, please don't cry...
We have lots of parties here;
with streamers and hats,
and the best chocolate cake ever!
When it's time to rest, angels tuck us in.
I never get scared Mommy,
there is no darkness here!
Jesus is the Light of Heaven.

Mommy, please don't cry...
The angels are always singing.
I love to sing with the angels!
You'd be proud of me,
I have a pretty good voice.
I must have gotten it from you.
There is a river, Mommy, in the most
beautiful garden you could ever imagine...
and a huge tree with yummy fruit.
The angels call it the tree of Life.
Mommy, it's so wonderful to
be alive in Heaven!

Mommy, please don't cry...
Sometimes I just like to be by myself.
That's when I think of you.
Someday, Mommy, we will
hold each other tight!
Then you will cradle me in your arms,
and stroke my hair...
And once again, our hearts
will beat together.

Mommy, please don't cry...
I'll wait right here for you.


Kristen....
Rev. & Mrs. McCaw....
and countless others......
Someday, where the charming roses bloom forever, and separations come no more, we will meet you on that Beautiful Shore.

Kristen 1991 - 1999