let us cross over the river...

One of the most sobering realizations about life is death. It's a reality. The Lord has numbered our days, and that sometimes means that His numbering takes beautiful, spirited, Godly people to be with Him before we want Him to. No words can comfort a grieving mother, father, friend, sister, or brother, but Christ can. We do not grieve as those with no hope, especially when we know that a precious life cut short is now spending eternity with her Savior.

Stonewall Jackson said, nearing death, "let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.." C.S. Lewis alluded to this idea in his Chronicles of Narnia, as well.

This song by the Annie Moses Band is poignant and true in its reminder that only in heaven are we perfected... we can then gather with the saints who have gone before us. Put to music, these words are more than beautiful.

lay down your sword the war is done

the fragile dust returns to dust

oh wounded warrior look beyond

with valiant heart and eyes of trust

beyond the river there is rest

thy living streams that lap soft

and soften mossy beds of sleep

awaiting weary sons of God

let us cross over the river

and rest under the shade of the trees

where the crystal tide flows forever

forever

so follow to the other shore

baptized with joy in silver spray

in heaven’s stream our Lamb the Lord

has washed the former things away

let us cross over the river

the beautiful, the beautiful river

gather with the saints at the river

that flows from the throne of God