My grandfather loved daylilies. He planted them in every kind of container imaginable. In bleach bottles with the tops sawed off, old tin buckets, rusted-out wagons…if it held dirt, my grandpa stuck a “cutting” in it.
His daylilies were magnificent, and many of the varieties were his own hybrid creations. In the spring his yard was a blaze of yellow, orange and white.
A LESSON ABOUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE
While I was still a young mom, my beloved grandfather was diagnosed with cancer.
I was devastated. My grandparents were dear to me, and were a huge part of my life.
Toward the end of his battle with the disease, my grandfather ended up in the hospital. I went by to see him nearly every day.
Most days I’d walk into my grandpa’s hospital room, open the blinds, and make idle conversation about the weather. I’d report on how much rain or sun his daylilies were getting, and he always smiled or nodded.
But one afternoon I found him unusually quiet.
I did my best to make small talk, but my grandfather showed no interest in last night’s rain. I went into great detail about how I’d thinned out the daylilies he’d planted in my backyard, but he offered no response.
His thoughts seemed far away as he gazed off as though I weren’t in the room.
Finally, with all my conversation starters used up, I slipped into the chair next to his bed and sat quietly.
The question that took my breath away
It was a while before he finally stirred. His hand barely moved, but I jumped up eagerly to see what he wanted.
My grandfather was attempting to speak. I could see his mouth moving, but his breath was barely a whisper. I leaned over his bed and held my ear closer to his face, straining to hear what he wanted to say. But I couldn’t make out the words.
“PawPaw, do you need more ice?”
“Are you in pain?”
“Do you need another blanket?”
That’s when I heard him.
In a whisper so frail I nearly missed it, he asked, “Do you think I’ll see my twin?”
His question took my breath away.
Eighty-seven years earlier, my grandfather was born a twin, but his baby brother had died at birth. I’d heard my grandmother mention it only once in my life.
A new focus
That’s when I realized my grandfather no longer cared about the weather or his daylilies. In fact, he wasn’t concerned about this life at all.
Instead, he was looking forward to heaven. All those other things paled in comparison to the glory he knew was still to come.
.
WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE
Although he’d spoken in a feeble whisper, my grandpa may as well have shouted to me from the top of his lungs:
AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE YOUR LIFE AND THE THINGS IN IT, IN THE END WHAT WILL REALLY MATTER IS HEAVEN.
Heaven is real.
And none of our stuff will be there.
That’s why the Bible tells us to be careful about what really matters in life.
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Not one single thing on earth will last forever.
The things that last
Fighting back tears, I assured my grandfather that, yes, he would see his twin brother again.
Because stuff won’t last, but people do.
The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.
1 John 2:17
My grandfather never spoke another word to me. He went to his eternal home a few days later.
But what he whispered from his hospital bed has spoken volumes to me ever since. And what I understood then is what I want to remember for the rest of my life.
Although I enjoy my stuff and I love being busy, what really matters in life is who I influence for eternity.
Because I can’t take my stuff with me.
But a soul alive with Christ will live forever.
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
1 John 5:11
The world will confuse us about what really matters in life. That’s why it’s important to read the Bible and discover the truth about what we should be living for. Then, when our time on earth is over, like my grandfather, we’ll be looking forward to the life that’s still to come.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Revelation 21:1-4 (New Living Translation)
This is what my mom left in a letter to be read after her funeral:
“ I hope you all achieve your goals and dreams and to know health, happiness far out do money. It’s nice to have but doesn’t make you happy. It never had made me happy. What’s made me happy is God, family, serving and giving to the less fortunate than me. My family is what gave me the most happiness in my life. I am very blessed with God being in my life and to have given me family and friends and lots of them.”
Terry, what a beautiful and selfless thing for your mom to do for the people she loved! I try to imagine what I will say at the end of my life and I’m pretty sure it’ll sound a lot like that:) Thank you for sharing.
Uncle Charlie was a kind and God hearted man. Always had time for others. You are honoring him by saying what is truly important in life.
I always think of the wonderful reunion we will all have one day.
You’re right, Nancy…what a reunion we can look forward to!
That is precious. As I was with both my parents at their death I couldn’t help but wonder what was their first view of heaven. I was almost jealous but I’m not thru here yet and neither are you. Great article again.
Kathy, one of the most treasured moments of my life was being there when my grandmother passed on to heaven. The peace registered on her face is something I will never forget. It’s a sacred moment and I’m glad you got to be there when your parents experienced it.
I am glad you were there when he asked that question. I don’t know that I would have been able to articulate the life lesson learned from those seven words which formed a question. You are always so good at asking the next question. Thanks for the lesson!
Thank you. That means a lot to me. I’ve often thought about the reunion that took place when he finally met his twin. And then introduced him to Momo:)
My grandma was my best friend. When she was in her last moments of life here on earth, I was there in her room to hear her last goodbyes to all 10 of her grandchildren. Like your grandfather, she too was less concerned with the goings on in everyday life, but anticipated seeing her baby she’d lost, her twin who had gone before her and the rest of her siblings she missed so dearly. She knew heaven awaited her and she was ready. I wasn’t ready. I wanted her to fight. I wanted her to get better. I wanted her here on earth. I needed her here with me…but HE needed her more. I have peace in knowing she lives forever with Him. And, I look forward to the time when I can see her again too.
Sending big hugs to you. Thank you for sharing your memory. It made me remember mine.
Thank you for sharing this. I can completely relate to what you experienced. As painful as the loss is, there is a sacred moment when someone passes on to heaven, and it’s a privilege and even a silent joy to be a part of that. The peace our grandparents experienced while passing on is added assurance for us that our hope really is in the world yet to come. Thank you so much for reading my blog!
I was not at home when I started reading. Had to stop & wait til I got home to finish. So many tears. I have enjoyed all of your posts. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Love you.
Joy, I know you can relate to my story in a special way. He taught me so much, but never more than the truth of what’s important in the end. We were both so blessed to have grandparents who loved and cared for us. Thank you for your words. They mean so much to me.
My mom passed away in April. As I watched her struggle with the disease she was plagued with it made me realize as well what is really important in life. I read this post in tears. Thank you for this reminder as we start to go through her things. All she left behind means nothing if she’s not here to share it with. My we be heaven focused!
Stephanie, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. In a strange way, the loss of my grandparents and my own father taught me so much about living and also increased my affection for heaven. I pray your heart is comforted as you look forward to our best life that’s still to come.