God called you home

I little knew that morning that
God would call your name

In life I loved you dearly
In death I do the same

It broke my heart to lose you
Know you did not go alone

For part of me went with you
the day God called you home

I'm left with peaceful memories
Your love is still my guide

And though I cannot see you
You're always at my side

My family chain is broken
nothing remains the same

But as God calls one by one
our Chain will link again

~author unknown ~

May the wings of faith uphold you
When your cross is hard to bear,
As temptations surround you,
 And no one seems to care.
May the wings of faith surround you
And shield you from the pain
When sorrows overcome you
And teardrops fall like rain.
May you know that God is with you
In times of deep despair.
May the spirit, who's within you,
Confirm that He is there!
May the valley of the shadow
Provide angels unaware...
May the wings of faith uphold you
When your cross is hard to bear.

Clay Harrison, Poet

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there… I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow…
I am the diamond glints on snow…
I am the sunlight on ripened grain…
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight…
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there… I did not die…
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all…
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss…
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Mary Elizabeth Frye

Autumn - artist: Tuomas Korpi

for more on grief see:
Bible Verses Reflections 7
Bible Verses Reflections 11
Reflections 16
Stories 4
Bible Verses Mourning