The Heavens Declare

We gather for celebration; aunts, uncles, cousins.  It is not always the case. At times we must gather to mourn the loss of a loved one who passes. It is fun that a birthday is the reason we are together.

I love  these family times. Many miles separate us, so they are few.

We tell stories. I am sure that they tire of some of mine. They are repeats, stories that I love to hear again and again, so I welcome a captive audience. They are patient with me.

We talk about those we miss. We are celebrating, but we spend a bit of time lamenting.

We remember Grandma Terry's final days. We all miss her, our beautiful matriarch.

I share a favorite. Grandma told me that she danced with Jesus. I went to visit her in the hospital a week or so before she died and she told me that she and Jesus had danced, "Right there!" she said pointing to the center of the room. "You haven't been out of your hospital bed, Grandma," I gently remind her. "But I was! Right there! We twirled round and round and round again! It was wonderful!" Her face was glowing; I believe! They believe with me.

Mom tells a story. As she was leaving the hospital after Grandma passed, she looked up and there was a cross in the sky created by two intersecting jet streams."I  felt like mom was telling me that everything was going to be okay," she shares.

  The morning after the birthday bash, our family gathers for church. We are going to worship together for the first time in a very long time. On our way into the sanctuary, I look up and see a cross in the sky created by two jet streams just like the one my mom talked about the night before. 


"Grandma?" 


Was she joining us somehow? Dancing over us? Whispering,  "everything will be okay . . ." Smiling that beautiful smile with a twinkle in her eye? 

Or was it just a hug from God that could be felt?

Either way, I'm basking in the love.

"The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 NKJV