Abiding

How often I remember my Suderman Grandparents. During my growing up times I remember when they visited us. Not very often, but with so much love. Each time they came they brought three small sacks of candy, one for each of their three grandchildren. Jim, Gene and I gladly helped Mom clean house and get ready for their visits.

Every visit always included a ‘goodbye’. A farewell. Always there was the joy of knowing that it was a temporary farewell and we would soon see them again. Although they are gone, we still feel the joy of knowing that we will see them again when we are reunited in Heaven, along with our great grandparents, the Loewen and the Suderman, and the grandparents we didn’t know here on earth.

Little things I remember: Grandpa’s hands. Grandpa lost a finger while using a saw. It was a traumatic time for my grandparents. How could Grandpa farm without the use of his arm and hand? When he unwrapped a package of gum or turned the pages of the Bible, I watched in fascination. When Grandpa clasped his hands in prayer, hoisted me up on Dolly, his horse for a trot around the farmyard, when I watched him milk the cows. Grandpa’s hands told a story of giving and loving that have stayed with me.

Grandma Suderman was a diminutive lady with grey curly hair, hands in her apron, when at repose. Grandma became synonymous with gentleness and love. I didn’t know as I grew up about the tragedies that she endured, losing four young children. It was later that I knew what pain struck her heart. When I visited the Ebenfeld Cemetery near Hillsboro, Kansas, I visited the graves of my grandparents and those babies, my aunts and uncles, buried side by side and wondered about those babies. As I sit here, I can see the picture of Daniel on my wall. I look into his eyes, knowing that he is seeing further now, into the eyes of Jesus.

What was their secret? Faith in Christ Jesus. Abiding in that faith from day to day, in joy or in sadness. Grandma gave these last words before she died, much as any Mother does as she leaves her children, with last minute instructions and ‘remembers’.

We went through dark valleys of sorrow, sickness and deaths in the family, but our God who promised never to leave us alone, always stayed with us and has kept us until now.

I’m also very thankful that all you children are also children of our Heavenly Father, He can, and will always, keep you through all trials that may come your way. Also the grandchildren know our Savior and are on the right road to heaven. Let’s all keep behind Jesus. He’ll lead us to our goal. We know our life’s evening sun is sinking low on our horizon. A few more days or years and we must go. May we all meet on that glorious homecoming day on the other side where no sickness, death and tears will be, but rejoicing forever.

Grandpa and Grandma Suderman knew the word, Abide. They understood the constancy of abiding ‘in love’ with Jesus. Remaining steadfast in His love, no matter what. Trusting Him. John 15:9-10 (The Message) gives new meaning to the word Abide…“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.”

Be comfortable in that love, dear children, Jesus says in parting instructions to his disciples.

The Apostle Paul also gave farewell words in Ephesians 6:13-18 – Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. (The Message)

Abide in Jesus, make yourself at home in His Love. That is the secret of joy in this life and our eternal life with Him who is Able. This is my parting word from the Word. Abide!

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