I'm leaving for Nebraska on Thursday to go to my Grandma's memorial service. My aunt is having each of her grandchildren read one of her favorite verses.
I'm reading 1 Corinthians 15:13-23:
"For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back."
"For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back."
I also have to write a short letter to her and read it out loud.
Here's is what I've got:
Dear Grandma,
Dear Grandma,
I want to thank you for being a part of my life. I love that I have memories of you being around when I was growing up.
I loved being your only grand-daughter.
I'll always remember - Danny and I were never at a loss for laughter when you and Dad were together. He always had a knack for testing your patience... I hope you know it was because he truly does love you.
I can now look in every room of my house and point out numerous things that belonged to you and Grandpa. I will always be reminded of you when I open up my dresser... wear your dresses... or wear your wedding rings on my finger.
But all that aside - thank you for being a part of the family that helped lead me to knowing & loving Jesus... Thank you.
I loved being your only grand-daughter.
I'll always remember - Danny and I were never at a loss for laughter when you and Dad were together. He always had a knack for testing your patience... I hope you know it was because he truly does love you.
I can now look in every room of my house and point out numerous things that belonged to you and Grandpa. I will always be reminded of you when I open up my dresser... wear your dresses... or wear your wedding rings on my finger.
But all that aside - thank you for being a part of the family that helped lead me to knowing & loving Jesus... Thank you.
Someday I'll see His face too...
just like you do now.
just like you do now.
Aunt Deedee & Grandma
My dad is the cute blonde boy!
