This past week we received the sad news of the passing of Joyce.
One of the toughest things of leaving your home country and all your near and dear ones, has to be when they pass on, and you are not at the funeral service. It seems so unreal and there is no closure. The memory that remains is the last time you saw them, and you somehow expect to meet them again. It always hits me hard when I go back and they are not there - the grieving seems to begin then.
Joyce, technically Aunty Joyce, came into my life when I first got married 28 years ago. Our relationship started rocky and quickly cleared up to be one of great joy and love. She always welcomed us into her home. Joyce had a great passion for kids. She loved our kids. She bought them gifts and had a toy box for them to play with on our many visits. And in turn our kids loved her. Going over to visit was always greeted with great excitement.
In addition to her fabulous hospitality, one of the strong memories I have of her was her deep concern about the things of the after life. She was always questioning and up for a good pow wow with us about our convictions and beliefs. Joyce had her own very strong beliefs and she was not about to cross over to the other side! We had many heated discussions about our faith and the freedom from ritualistic traditions that Christ offers. We always parted well, with a great big hug and a promise to pray for each other! She hoped that God would bring me to her views and I prayed that she would see the light.
And in 2009, she finally did. With just our family and her husband by her, she once again brought up the topic of the after life and once again I explained Jesus' promise that whoever acknowledges that he or she is a sinner and comes to the cross of Christ and accepts Jesus as their Saviour has the guarantee of Salvation. We read scriptures with her: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” She asked no more questions and eagerly said that she wanted to make a commitment and accept Jesus in her heart. It was a wonderful moment for us and knowing her, we knew that she was finally convinced.
This past week, Joyce passed on to the other side. She made her final journey, we trust to a place of peace and rest in Jesus.
Goodbye my friend...I salute you for your tenacity, your desire to do the right thing, to love your kids and grandkids, to be a wonderful companion to Uncle Johhnie, for your welcoming, warm home and above all your relentless desire to seek and love God.
One of the toughest things of leaving your home country and all your near and dear ones, has to be when they pass on, and you are not at the funeral service. It seems so unreal and there is no closure. The memory that remains is the last time you saw them, and you somehow expect to meet them again. It always hits me hard when I go back and they are not there - the grieving seems to begin then.
Joyce, technically Aunty Joyce, came into my life when I first got married 28 years ago. Our relationship started rocky and quickly cleared up to be one of great joy and love. She always welcomed us into her home. Joyce had a great passion for kids. She loved our kids. She bought them gifts and had a toy box for them to play with on our many visits. And in turn our kids loved her. Going over to visit was always greeted with great excitement.
In addition to her fabulous hospitality, one of the strong memories I have of her was her deep concern about the things of the after life. She was always questioning and up for a good pow wow with us about our convictions and beliefs. Joyce had her own very strong beliefs and she was not about to cross over to the other side! We had many heated discussions about our faith and the freedom from ritualistic traditions that Christ offers. We always parted well, with a great big hug and a promise to pray for each other! She hoped that God would bring me to her views and I prayed that she would see the light.
And in 2009, she finally did. With just our family and her husband by her, she once again brought up the topic of the after life and once again I explained Jesus' promise that whoever acknowledges that he or she is a sinner and comes to the cross of Christ and accepts Jesus as their Saviour has the guarantee of Salvation. We read scriptures with her: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” She asked no more questions and eagerly said that she wanted to make a commitment and accept Jesus in her heart. It was a wonderful moment for us and knowing her, we knew that she was finally convinced.
This past week, Joyce passed on to the other side. She made her final journey, we trust to a place of peace and rest in Jesus.
Goodbye my friend...I salute you for your tenacity, your desire to do the right thing, to love your kids and grandkids, to be a wonderful companion to Uncle Johhnie, for your welcoming, warm home and above all your relentless desire to seek and love God.
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