My most vivid memory of my mother was watching her graceful hands on the organ keyboard. As the church organist she often practiced music for weddings. Soloist, too, would practice the popular ceremonial 1950 songs of Because and The Lord’s Prayer. To me—it was music to a young ‘wishful’ little girl’s ears that still rings today.
Nearly every Saturday evening I accompanied the accompanist to weddings. The flowers, the solos, the candles, the bridesmaids were nice, but the thrill only came when I could spot the shadow of the bride behind the sanctuary glass doors.
Mom would pause; lay her hands in her lap while silence filled the room. My heart raced with excitement because I knew what was next as she gently reached up to manually pull the stop on the pipe organ that transformed the sound to that of trumpets. I can still see my mother’s confidence to announce the coming of the bride with her dramatic pounding on the keys. I still get Goosebumps just writing about the traditional wedding march.
As time also marches on, and just 4 days short of her 81st birthday, I believe Mom heard the sound of Heavenly trumpets as the doors flung wide to enter Heaven. Adorned in pure white, ushered by the nail-scared hand of her Jesus—she took her first step into the Throne Room of God.
As I look back on her life I see trials, challenges she overcame, and much suffering however; God used them all to make the march sweeter because I can’t remember a time when she ever took her eyes off the groom. I’m sure it was a graceful walk towards Him for her life demonstrated true intimacy with Christ. I desire is to leave the same legacy.
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8
Will our transformation end one day? You bet it will!
When? Only when we hear the signal for the march; not a second too early or too late.
I’m ready when He is. How about you?
