Charles & Joan (and their 7 sons)My dear neighbor and friend, Joan, died Saturday. Her husband died just a year and a half ago. They had seven boys in seven years (5 boys and then a set of twin boys). They loved Jesus and served Him joyfully. They were both such a great encouragement to our family-- if even just for the fact that they raised seven kids so close together and never had a cross word to say about the entire experience.
It seemed that God would send her husband (a retired Lutheran pastor) over to my driveway at just the times I needed encouragement. There Mr. Piazza would be and he would always give me a little hug and usually would pull out a bookmark or sticker from his pocket that said, "God Loves You." I still have one of those bookmarks in my kitchen drawer.
I tell people that Joan was THE most positive person I have ever met. Her husband died on a Wednesday and Monday she was scheduled to start chemo for her cancer. Never a complaint or a woe or self-pity. She just did what she had to do and her ailments were the last thing she was concerned about. As I sat at her funeral tonight, I remembered the verse (Prov. 18:21) that says "The tongue has the power of life and death." And I thought about how Joan used her tongue to give life-- whether it was to me, my kids, or the other ladies in the neighborhood. Everyone always said, "She's the most positive person I have ever met." She lived it out every day.
Another memory I will never forget was the little things she would take the time to point out to me and the kids. The last two years, robins made a nest in her gutter and she would come and tell me that the nest was there and the baby robins were there waiting for food. It is so neat that she took time for these kinds of things.
While I was waiting for the service to start, I was flipping through the hymnal and Before the Throne of God caught my eye. The words and the truth behind these words are incredible. Though there is a huge hole on our hearts from losing this dear couple, I am so thankful that we were blessed by being their neighbors for eight years. We learned so much by watching them live. And while, of course, I dreadfully wish they were still here, it is indescribable to think that they are both before the throne of God right now.
BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because a sinless savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the judge is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there the Risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King Of Glory and of grace
One in Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
