May 07

This week brought the sad news of my mom’s sister Mary’s passing.  Mary had battled cancer for some time and on Monday she went to be with the Lord.  It is such hard news to bear.  What can we say to family and friends who remain and have to deal with the pain of their loss?…

We’re sorry.  We’re here for you. We love you. And, most importantly, God loves you more.

To say that the Lord holds our lives in His hands from cradle to grave is an understatement.  For Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”  And in John 1:1-2 Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” 

I spoke with mom and dad last night and they said the memorial service was very nice.  Dad said that one of the songs they played was “Amazing Grace” by Elvis.  Mary was a huge Elvis fan.  It’s interesting that I sang a slightly different version of Amazing Grace last night with about 400 other people at a National Day of Prayer gathering.  I’m including the version we sang last night here with the lyrics. 

I would encourage you to listen and read along.  My favorite part is the chorus when it says, “My chains are gone.  I’ve been set free.” 

Mary’s chains are gone now, and she’s been set free forever.

[audio:Chris-Tomlin-Amazing-Grace-My-Chains-Are-Gone.mp3]

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”
by Chris Tomlin

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

3 Responses to “Goodbye, Mary, for now…”

  1. Donna Maher Says:

    Dear Ron,

    Please extend my deepest sympathy to you, your Mom and all of the family who are in pain now over the loss of your beloved Mary. I know in my heart that she is healed now and in the most peaceful, beautiful environment with our loving Father. May her memory forever bring a smile to your hearts and the pain of her loss grow dimmer with each passing day.

    God be with and bless you all,
    Donna

  2. uncle frank Says:

    Thanks for writing Ron.
    It is amazing grace that we have life at all!
    My sympathies to the family.
    Frank

  3. Ant Donna Says:

    I keep meaning to leave notes for you here. I love wandering around your blog. Mary would have loved what you wrote. Could be she’s reading over my shoulder anyway. She’s with me every day and up to things. She’s given me a new friend whose sister passed three days before her. She gave me the choice of promotions at work and she made my baby purple miniroses bloom when I got home from her house. A nice hello, that. I planted them with her in mind. I do not believe that death is ever an ending. Perhaps of the mortal body, but the spirit, the important part, lives on. It lives in each of us who remember her.
    I don’t know if you ever met O’Houlihan. He was the mischevious leprechaun who lives in the music box house (a tavern) and plays “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” O’Houlihan caused all sorts of ruckus when the kids were younger. He would come out and break things and lose things and just in general, cause headaches. I think it’s because he was lonesome being all alone in his house. He needed the music played more often. In any case, he lives with me now. I play the music often, and so far, so good. Only one instance that I think was him, so I need to remember to play it daily!
    A friend sent me this:
    Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. It’s from a headstone in Ireland.
    Let me know if you ever want to borrow O’Houlihan. =0)

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