Don't The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; FINAL HARVEST first the blade, then the ear, after that the Don't spend too much time in mourning; full corn in the ear. He was bound to the land from the day of his birth tears are for the sad. His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth I left to be with Jesus and this should Mark 4:2 Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew make you glad. To every thing there is a season, And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true. Don't waste your hours in grieving; and a time to every purpose under heaven: no need to feel distress. A time to be born, and a time to die; In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds I'm tired of life's frustrations and had a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that In hope, to reap his family's needs to take some rest. which is planted. With patience, he waited for the harvest to come Don't vex yourself with questions Ecclesiastes 3:2 To gather the fruits of his labor home. or try to reason why. Life here for me has ended. #4 Ever turning seasons, the years sped past It came my time to die. ---------------------------------------- Till the final harvest came at last Don't lose the love I gave you; Then claimed anew by beloved sod feed it with your care. The butterfly emerges He was gathered home to be with God. Grow it with devotion and from its silken shell- spread it everywhere. Reborn, it arises, --Barbara W. Weber Don't fret because my leaving no longer bound to earth. came in such a way, Free at last, the butterfly glides #8 We'll have another meeting on to heights unknown before. ------------------------------------------- God's Eternal Day. So do our loved ones find God gives us each a gift of life #1 a beautiful release To cherish from our birth. ------------------------------- as, earthbound no more, He gives us friends and those we love AFTERGLOW they leave our sight and joyfully rise To share our days on Earth. to a garden of matchless beauty, I'd like the memory of me a place of light and peace. He watches us with loving care to be a happy one, And takes us by the hand, I'd like to leave an afterglow Evelyn Phillips He blesses us with countless joys of smiles when life is done. And guides the lives we've planned. #5 I'd like to leave an echo --------------------------------------------- Then, when our work on Earth is done, whispering softly down the ways, He calls us to His side, Of happy times and laughing times Comfort To live with Him in happiness and bright and sunny days. In everybody's garden Where peace and love abide. A little rain must fall I'd like the tears of those who grieve, Or life's sweetest fairest flowers, #9 to dry before the sun Wouldn't grow and bloom at all. ------------------------------------ Of happy memories that I leave And though the clouds hang heavy When life is done. So heavy. Oh! My friend. Eternal Color I'm sure that God who #2 sends the shower In spring, tree's leaves were merely buds ------------------ Will send the rainbow's end. when everything was new. Death is not the enemy of life, They couldn't shade, nor hide a bird, but its friend, #6 but every day they grew. for it is that knowledge --------------------------------------------- that our years are limited Surely Jesus loves fishermen Now autumn's here, and leaves have turned which makes them so precious. for he chose them for His own, from summertime's full bloom. It is the truth that time is but lent to us To be with Him and learn from Him They separate from branch, their home, which makes us, at our best, and someday share His home. and snow will be their tomb. look upon our years as a trust It must have been their trust in God handed into our temporary keeping. and patience He found rare, How sad that when they're at their peak Joshua Loth Liebman That keeps them very near His heart it's time for them to go. and ever in His care. Yet how colorful they made this world; ....I will not be afraid, -Anne Jujawa it was God's plan, I know. for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. #7 Your life, too, was most beautiful; Psalm 23:4 TLB how brightly shown your heart. For now, my friend, you've joined the leaves, #3 and from us, did depart. #10 Page 1A God hath not promised God saw you getting tired In Tears Skies always blue, And a cure was not to be Flower-strewn pathways So He put His arms around you In tears we saw you sinking All our lives through; And whispered, "Come to Me". And watched you fade away. God hath not promised A golden heart stopped beating Our hearts were broken, Sun without rain, Hard working hands at rest We wanted you to stay. Joy without sorrow, God broke our hearts But when we saw you sleeping, Peace without pain. To prove to us So peaceful and free from pain, He only takes the best. How could we wish you back with us But God hath promised to suffer again. Strength for the day, #14 It broke our hearts to lose you, Rest for the labor, ---------------------------------------- But you did not go alone, Light for the way. Gone Is The Face We Loved For part of us went with you, Grace for the trials, The day God called you home. Help from above, Gone is the face we loved so dear, Unfailing sympathy Silent is the voice we loved to hear, #18 Undying love … Too far away for sight or speech, But not too far away for thought to reach. God needed an angel in Heaven #11 Sweet to remember her, who once was here, to stand at the Savior's feet: -------------------------------------------- And who, though absent, is just as dear. God looked around His garden Our lips cannot tell what to say, His choice must be the rarest And found an empty place. God alone knows how much we miss her A lily pure and sweet. He then looked down upon the earth, In a home that is lonesome today. And saw your tired face. He gazed upon the mighty throng He put His arms around you #15 Then stopped and picked the best. And lifted you to rest. ---------------------------------------- God's garden must be beautiful I am not there Our child was His chosen one He always takes the best. With Jesus she's now at rest. He saw the road was getting rough, Do not stand there at my grave and weep, And the hills were hard to climb. I am not there, I do not sleep. #19 So He closed your weary eyelids, I am a thousand winds that blow. ------------------------------------------- And whispered, "Peace be thine." I am the diamond glints on snow. It broke our hearts to lose you I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I Needed the Quiet But you did not go alone I am the gentle autumn's rain. For part of us went with you, When you awaken in the morning's hush, I needed the quiet so he drew me aside, The day God called you home. I am the swift uplifting rush, Into the shadows where we could confide. of quiet birds in circled flight. Away from the bustle where all day long #12 I am the soft star that shines at night. I hurried and worried when active and strong. --------------------------------------- Do not stand by my grave and cry; I needed the quiet, tho at first I rebelled but gently, so gently, my cross He upheld I'm Free I am not there; I did not die. and whispered so sweetly of spiritual things. Gwydion Tho’ weakened in body, my spirit took wings Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free to heights never dreamed of when active and gay. I'm following the path God laid for me. #16 He loved me so greatly, He drew me away. I took his hand when I heard him call ----------------------------------------- I needed the quiet. No prison my bed, I turned my back and left it all. No Other Mother but a beautiful valley of blessings instead. I could not stay another day A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide. to laugh, to love, to work or play. We remember mother as nurturing and kind, I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside. Tasks undone must stay that way. She always kept our best interests in mind. I found that peace at close of day. And when we grew up and left her nest, #20 If my parting has left a void She still continued to wish us the best. --------------------------------------- then fill it with remembered joy. The love and friendship we received from A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, mother May the road rise to ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Is one of a kind, there's simply no other. meet you, Be not burdened with times of sorrow May the wind I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. But now she is gone; it came her time to be always at your back. My life's been full, I've savored much, leave, May the sun good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.