In Remembrance Of Mac

Death And Separation

I find myself back in the flux of routine. I've just returned from Cleveland. The occasion for the trip was death. My dad's father, "Karious McDaniel" passed away. He was 92 years old. The original purpose of the trip was to take care of my grandfather in light of how weak he had become. Yet, the Lord took him before I had the opportunity to do so. Death and separation is a weird space. It was weird being in my grandparents home without "MAC", this was the first time. Yet as the new phrase which is uttered among the living is "new normal". This is my reality. Even in light of death and separation, God is sovereign over all things. Thus, it is true, that Jesus work is so thorough and complete, that He even has secured hope for His people in times like these.

A Bitter-sweet Reminder

Durning the wake more than one person expressed that my grandfather did not look like himself. This is in no way a shot at the embalmer who worked on my grandfather. From what I can tell he or she did a good job. It's just the life has been removed from my grandfather, and you can recognize it.

Me and my family were at the wake from 3PM to about 6PM. This first hour was just family and after 4PM others were allowed in. The theme which dominated my mind was death. I was brought intimately near my future. I don't know the date nor the time, but I know one day I will be in the same position as my grandfather. On my back and lifeless. This is a bitter reminder of the deadliness of sin. Is this not why my family is gathered in this room?  Why is there even death in the first place? Is it not due to our first father Adam?

A Good Memory

In September 2019, my grandfather taught me a hymn. It's interesting, I recorded this moment. In light of his death, I've been listening to it repeatedly. The words of the hymn are words to hold to, I hope they are a blessing to you as it is to me:

"Father I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know.

If thou withdraw your hand from me, whether shall I go?

What did thy only son endure, before I drew my breath.

What pain? What labor? To secure, my soul from endless death".

In light of my grandfathers passing, I've been listening to him teach me a portion of this hymn and it makes me smile. Not only does it make me smile because I can hear the voice of the one whom I can no longer hear. But the above words are truths I can live by, now and for the rest of my journey.