In Straight Paths
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For several years on the date of Nathaniel's departure from this life and his entrance into the Glory world, May 25, I sent the parents a Memorial poem. Though they are very imaginary, I would like to share them with you. (Taken from my book, Trials and Triumphs.) Author
Memorial Poem for Nathaniel
On the twenty-fifth of May,
Just one year ago today,
Our little Nathaniel left us for a better land.
Though it nearly broke our heart
From our baby to have to part,
Yet we knew God had the situation in hand.
We have often wondered why
Little Nathaniel had to die,
But we'll understand it better by and by.
Here we don't have to understand
But just leave it in God's hand.
He will answer all our questions in the sky.
In my imagination I can see
The reception our baby received
As he entered Heaven's portals in the sky.
Just inside the Eastern gate
A Heavenly band did wait
To welcome our little darling up on high.
Though on earth his loved ones miss him,
Yet there Jesus picked him up and kissed him,
And wiped away all the tears from his eyes.
His pain was forever ended,
His little heart was mended,
And never would he miss his earthly ties.
There were many boys and girls,
Just babies when they left this world,
Who were awaiting his arrival in that land.
They were at the gate to meet him,
And with joy they all did greet him
As he joined himself to their Heavenly band.
One of the first to take his hand
To lead him around the Heavenly land,
Was a little great uncle called "Little Bill."
He departed this life long ago,
Oh, we loved that baby so,
The memories cause our heart to sorrow still.
Then there's little Aunt Joni McCoy
Ready to welcome the little boy.
I can visualize her radiant, smiling face.
They will play around the throne
Of their beautiful, heavenly home.
How happy they must be in that lovely place.
Harold Wayne Roshto, a baby cousin dear
Was also waiting very near,
For he, too, joined the welcoming committee.
Little Dickie, Aunt Dee's baby boy
Who is living in that land of joy,
Extends a hearty welcome to that city.
Can't you see them as they play
In that land of endless day,
All the babies who have gone on before?
Never a fuss nor a fight,
Nothing to mar, not even night
Just one long eternity of peace and joy.
So be comforted, dear Mary and Dan
For our baby waits in a better land.
We must strive to go to him when life is o'er.
Jesus will give us grace
'Til we can see His face
Then we will never think of parting anymore.
Two-Year Memorial for Nathaniel
Two years ago today
On the 25th of May,
We bid farewell to our precious baby boy.
Though it causes us pain and grief,
Yet in Jesus we found relief
As He whispered words of comfort o'er and o'er.
"Dear Jesus, we humbly pray
Set Nathaniel on Your knee today
And give him our message of good will,
That though he is yet so sadly missed
Yet, now he has a little sis
And the vacancy he left, she helps to fill.
"Tell him, Jesus, just to wait
Right inside the Eastern gate,
For we'll soon join him in that land so fair.
Little sister will be with us
And other kinfolk near us.
What a reunion we will have over there!
"And Jesus, can You prepare
A nice big rocking chair
For Mommy, Daddy, and grandparents to take turns
To rock the little boy?
It will give us so much joy
As he cuddles close within our circling arms.
"There'll be friends and relatives galore
Standing outside the mansion door
Awaiting their turn to caress the little boy.
Oh, we can hardly wait
To step inside the pearly gate
And be reunited with little Nathaniel forever more.
"Dear Jesus, as we close this prayer,
We know he's safe within Thy care
So we're patiently waiting 'til we see him once more.
Help us not to miss the way
For it will be a grand homecoming day
When we meet little Nathaniel on that golden shore."
Three-Year Memorial for Nathaniel
You left us three years ago today
On this twenty-fifth of May,
Our dear little Nathaniel lad.
Though we have accepted God's will,
Yet many times the tears flow still
As memories make our hearts so sad.
You were four months to the day
When meningitis struck and took you away.
It was indeed a painful blow.
But God was near in that dark hour
And sustained us by His power,
His wonderful grace to all He did bestow.
We'll soon be reunited, dear little boy,
Then, oh, what happiness, what joy,
When at the feet of Jesus, our sorrows we will lay,
We'll sorrow no more, no never,
Our tears will be wiped away forever
And forgotten will be the twenty-fifth of May.
Four-Year Memorial for Nathaniel
I guess I'm just getting old,
At least, that's what I've been told,
For I can't think of a thing that will rhyme.
But though I'm old, I remember the 25th of May
Was when our little Nathaniel passed away
And I'll compose a memorial poem next year this time.
No Hope of Recovery, But God Heard and Answered Prayer
Early one Sunday afternoon, I walked into the Rochester Hospital. By the bedside in a room on my left sat a woman from a nearby town. She had attended services where I preached in a revival meeting. I went in and asked what was wrong with her fifteen-year-old daughter in the bed.
She sobbed out how her children had alighted from a school bus and this girl was hit by a car. She had been in a coma for three weeks with no hope of recovery. I told the mother I would be back in a half hour or so. I went across the street and asked Sister Tuttle and Sister Crawford, who was visiting her, to come over to the hospital to pray for this girl.
They came--we three prayed--the Holy Presence filled the room, We were assured that God was there to help.
The two women left and I went on to visit others in the hospital. Upon leaving, I went back to the girl's room. She was sitting up in bed holding conversation with her mother. She was dismissed two days later, a well girl.
No, friends, God is not dead but still on hand to supply all our needs, Hallelujah!