Saturday, April 13, 2013

Helping Hands & Shovel-fulls of Love




I witnessed something wonderful at the funeral of my twin grand-babies yesterday. At the end of the service, my son-in-law gently put the box carrying the remains into the small grave. He then put a couple shovel-fulls of dirt into the grave. I had never seen this before. My wife leaned over to me and said, "Stephanie said you could help if you want". They were going to make him shovel all the dirt in now as they watched?! I jumped up to help. I was shocked, no stunned. "Do we have to do all of it?", I whispered. "And anyone else that wants to help", he said. Then as I looked up, tears filled my eyes. There were already several men waiting for their turn. As I handed over the shovel to John's best friend, I stepped back and watched as man after man took his turn helping their "brother" give his children to God. As it happens, it’s a German Baptist tradition, a wonderful, tender tradition. As we sang "Bless the Lord Oh My Soul" and watched the outpouring of heartfelt shovel-full’s slowly fill in the small hole, we came together as believers in Christ.
My granddaughters will be sorely missed. My daughter will need more comforting. Things will never be the same. It's God's plan so we can grow. We must be tested to be approved. We didn't really loose the twins, not really. I can imagine two beautiful little girls, sitting by the gates of heaven waiting to give their mom and dad a big hug. And someday we all will. It's God's plan.



                      Elizabeth Rose Garber                                          Renee Rose Garber
                                    2013                                                                          2013
On shining steps near Heaven’s gate
All dressed in white two roses wait
For time to pass and years to fly
For those on earth to say goodbye
With loving smiles and golden hair
They welcome others entering there
They wait for mother’s hand to hold
And in her arms their blossoms unfold
                                                   For My Granddaughters – M. Dale Cross

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