Celebrating Good Years—Past, Present and Future
“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose.” *
On Sunday morning, August 3rd
a special worship service was held in which the kids who had attended choir
camp would be participating. Al and I were looking forward to that, but had
forgotten that the sanctuary would be packed with parents, grandparents and
relatives of the campers, along with members of the large congregation. Even
the balcony was full, with only a few spaces left.
We arrived only minutes before the
three youth choirs and counselors from camp marched down the center aisle. I
managed to catch the attention of our two youngest grandsons, Nate and Elliot,
and blew them kisses, much to their chagrin!
The boys sat on the raised platform with the high
school choir, while the rest of the campers and counselors occupied the first
couple of pews down below. As people continued to file into the sanctuary and
squeeze into the balcony, the campers sang a quiet medley of worship songs,
some familiar to us and some new ones too.
It was the beginning of a beautiful worship
service that truly glorified the Lord with music, hymns, testimonies from the
students, a message from the choir director and ending with communion.
The woman sitting next to me in the
pew happened to be a good friend of our late daughter, Shanda. When there was
an opportunity, I told her that we were Shanda’s parents. She gave me a look of
compassion, along with a big hug.
Shanda would have been sitting in that place,
watching her boys as they participated in the worship. She was proud of her
children and two older stepchildren. Sweet memories and sweet worship.
As Al and I pulled into the
driveway after church, I looked up at the picture window in the front room,
half expecting our dog TJ to be in the window, howling with joy to see us. In
my heart, I knew that TJ wouldn’t be waiting for us this time. Our old lab had
been unable to get up from his bed for a few days. TJ was so weak and in so
much pain that he needed support just to sit up. It was difficult for us to
watch.
While sitting at the table eating lunch, we
came to the decision that it was time to have him put to sleep. I dialed the
number of a veterinarian who made home visits and found out he was available
that afternoon. Deep sigh. Tears.
After telling him about TJ and the
distress he was having, the vet agreed to drive out to our house later in the
day. I sat by TJ’s side, stroking his
silky black coat until the doctor arrived. It didn’t take long…paperwork, two
shots, final hugs for our faithful dog… and then he fell asleep.
“Don’t be surprised if the first time you come
home after being away you feel a big shock when you come through the door,”
cautioned the sympathetic vet. I remembered how TJ greeted us with howls and
then raced around the driveway in joyful circles once he was let out. Yes, I
would miss that, along with his companionship and unconditional love.
“You know,” the doctor continued,
“a dog is the only animal who cares about others before caring for himself.”
Something to think about anyway! TJ was certainly attached to us, as we were to
him. Al and I spent the rest of the day grieving for the little lab and
reflecting on the good times we had with him. What a gamut of emotions we went
through, from morning to evening.
When we returned home on Monday
after our weekly shopping, I braced myself as I came through the door,
remembering what the vet had said. The radio, our inexpensive alarm system, was
blaring.
What was being played? “Celebration”
by Kool and the Gang, 1980: “Celebrate good times, come on! It’s a celebration,
It’s alright…” That made me laugh and laugh. It was a perfect “dancing” song
for TJ!
Celebrate—the good times of the
past, the joys of the present, and future blessings as well, knowing that Jesus
walks with us. Most of all, celebrate the hope we have in Christ of salvation
and living with Him in heaven forever.
* Romans 8:28 NIV
The picture above is of Shanda's playing the prelude at our church in December, 2017
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