“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 22:32
I’ve been dwelling on heaven this week. So many wonderful people who have passed through my life are waiting me there. My circle of influence has been filled the past fifty plus years with some pretty beautiful saints.
There are loved ones in the glory,
Whose dear forms you often miss;
When you close your earthly story,
Will you join them in their bliss?
My maternal grandfather is one of those “dear forms” that I often miss. I didn’t have him long in my life but the time I did, he influenced me in godliness. His poetry (you’ll find throughout my blogs) was written always with his Savior in mind. He started Sunday Schools all around the west as he moved from area to area just like a circuit riding preacher. Everyone who knew George Moir, loved him. He’s waiting in my circle in heaven!
In the joyous days of childhood,
Oft they told of wondrous love,
Pointed to the dying Savior
Now they dwell with Him above.
My Uncle Gordie was a beautiful soul who could talk to you for hours in his quiet way about his Savior. He didn’t always follow God’s will but when he returned to the Lord in his adult life, he carried with him a godly testimony. Uncle Gordie and I shared many a happy phone call throughout the years. He was always willing to listen to me ramble on. He and Pierre had some good discussions when Virginia and he would come to visit. I’m so thankful I have an Uncle Gordie in my circle.
You remember songs of Heaven
Which you sang with childish voice,
Do you love the hymns they taught you,
Or are songs of earth your choice?
Music – it’s in my soul! My mom said even as a toddler, I would be carrying around a baby and singing to it. I have always sung to my children. Who in my circle taught me this? My father! I can picture him now up in heaven singing with the angels. He had a powerful voice and always sang with joy. I find myself singing loudly in church and not worrying about who can hear me.
Afterall, I am my father’s daughter. He loved the old hymns rich in theology. Singing them with us instilled in me not only the joy of singing but also the love of words. Words matter. Dad taught me to look at words as they relate to the Bible in the songs we sing. I’ll look forward to singing with him in my circle one day!
You can picture happy gatherings
Round the fireside long ago,
And you think of tearful partings,
When they left you here below:
One happy gathering that always comes to mind is taking my children to visit a family friend in Iowa. He was also a lawyer and worked on documents for us from time to time. Lloyd Wolf loved music and he loved my children. I remember we’d go to visit him in his office in Iowa and my kids always got busy counting all the wolves he had in his office. He’d come to church and sit with our family and encourage my kids to love music. He was always joyful with them. Grandpa Wolf, I hope I get to sing near you in my circle, too!
One by one their seats were emptied,
One by one they went away;
Here the circle has been broken—
Will it be complete one day?
Aunts, uncles, grandparents and more will be in my circle someday. Heaven keeps getting sweeter and sweeter to those of us on earth as we say “see you soon” to loved ones. My circle of influence here on earth has been broken for a time but they’ve also taught me to BE that godly influence to the next generation. My goal has always been to see my children saved and going to heaven with me. Goal accomplished. Now that I have a grandchild on the way, I have to get busy being a godly influence to them. My circle – I want it to stretch for miles in heaven!
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, by and by?
In a better home awaiting
In the sky, in the sky?
Who’s in your circle? What godly influences will be singing with you throughout eternity?