Celebrating the anniversary of the eternal victory of Grandpa

Three years ago yesterday my Grandpa died. Three years ago Sunday was the thing at the funeral home when he was in the casket, and three years ago Monday was the funeral.

Why should cross and trial grieve me?
Christ is near
With His cheer;
Never will He leave me.
Who can rob me of the heaven
That God's Son
For my own
To my faith hath given?

Though a heavy cross I'm bearing
And my heart
Feels the smart,
Shall I be despairing?
God, my Helper, who doth send it,
Well doth know
All my woe
And how best to end it.

God oft gives me days of gladness;
Shall I grieve
If He give
Seasons, too, of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
All my ill,
And He will
Wholly leave me never.

Hopeful, cheerful, and undaunted
Ev'rywhere
They appear
Who in Christ are planted.
Death itself cannot appal them,
They rejoice
When the voice
Of their Lord doth call them.

Death cannot destroy forever;
From our fears,
Cares, and tears
It will us deliver.
It will close life's mournful story,
Make a way
That we may
Enter heavenly glory.

What is all this life possesses?
But a hand
Full of sand
That the heart distresses.
Noble gifts that pall me never
Christ, our Lord,
Will accord
To His saints forever.

Lord, my Shepherd, take me to Thee.
Thou art mine;
I was Thine,
Even ere I know Thee.
I am Thine, for Thou hast bought me;
Lost I stood,
But Thy blood
Free salvation brought me.

Thou art mine; I love and own Thee.
Light of Joy,
Ne'er shall I
From my heart dethrone Thee.
Savior, let me soon behold Thee
Face to face –
May Thy grace
Evermore enfold me!