A Tribute to Wanda Hay

Someone died the other day who was a woman of God, a woman with influence and kindness. Her last days were spent sharing the gospel with others around her. Her boldness impacted her young grandson to speak out for His Lord. She is with all those who have gone before now, rejoicing at the throne. Do I regret her home going? I can't be sad to think what a blessed woman she is at this moment and forever more. She has led the way and I will gladly walk in her foot steps one day. But for her family I grieve. Those who cared for her in so many ways, those who will find an empty chair, who will have one less on their Christmas list, who will look absent mindedly for her to come through the door and then remember. For those I ache, and as their friend I pray for their healing to come in time. Not to quickly because love deserves time to weep as it did to laugh. We are the ones who need healing now, not Wanda! And so we wait for time to wash over our hearts-a constant lapping of the ocean of God's love on the shores of our pain - to replace that pain with the hope that we will meet again. As she was so fond of singing at New Year's Eve,
Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like that to that above.

Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives, and longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain, and sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.

So until then, my dear friends may God bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and grant you His peace as He has so recently done for Wanda.