Always Good Forever

I received word this week my Grandpa Martin Henry passed into eternity.  Though I heard he had been sick and in hospital, the moment when I heard the news it was like the world momentarily stopped because part of me was no more.  My grandfather had been gathered to his fathers, for God took him home.  Though the grief is real, the comfort provided by knowing the almighty God is the God of the living is greater consolation.  One thing you could guarantee is when you greeted Grandpa and asked how he was doing he would say in a booming voice, "Always good!"  Though I will not hear him say that again during my remaining days on earth, it was never more true for him than now in the presence of the LORD.

It's hard for me to fathom going to Grandma's house and not include Grandpa because he was always there.  He would be wearing blue jeans and a white, tucked in t-shirt.  It is difficult to imagine today he cannot be found on the lounge in the den, riding his John Deere mower, winding a clock, or laying carpet.  He would shrug and say, "They pay me to crawl around all day.  Easy money."  I remember when Grandpa laid the carpet in my first house and my neighbour pulled me aside that afternoon over 20 years ago.  "I saw an older fellow pull up to your house with big rolls of carpet and linoleum.  I decided to put my shoes on to lend a hand and by the time I made it over there he already had them in the house!"  "Yep, sounds like Grandpa," I told him.  I once asked him why he didn't have an apprentice or helper.  "I'd have to fix all their mistakes," he replied.

Moving to Australia has meant I have not been able to spend much time with Grandpa, and I certainly missed our friendly game of poker every New Year's Eve.  He was an honest man, and an honest poker player too.  If he was raising you, you knew you better have a decent hand.  One of the stories I loved to hear happened during his time in the Navy with a memorable showdown.  His opponent had four queens; he never imagined Grandpa had four kings!  When I think of Grandpa, my mind is filled with fond memories of times we spent together, like staying up on Christmas Eve watching whatever was on TV so we could say "Merry Christmas!" to each other before going to bed.  His stories went like this:  "My old uncle August was a Lutheran minister (only lived to be 96), preached moderation:  one bottle at a time!"  His hearty handshake and chuckle was like no other, and I will miss him.

Sometimes loss can be a path to greater appreciation of the blessings God has already provided.  My grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children, in-laws, extended family and family of believers have been a rich blessing in my life.  The truth is, this earth is not our forever home.  When we suffer loss of those we love it is a reminder we will never be without God who was, is and is to come.  My grief is tempered by my LORD Jesus Christ who is the Good Shepherd who will never leave or forsake me--nor any who trust in Him when He calls them home.  Psalm 23:6 says of those who trust in the LORD, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  What assurance God gives those who love and trust Him because God is always good, now and forever.