Last Saturday morning, I woke up early with the lyrics to an old hymn on my mind, and as I pondered the words, I thought, “Would most people even have a clue to what that phrase means?” The words & title to the song I heard in my spirit were, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder I’ll Be There!” I knew what it meant and immediately the old catchy tune and memories of singing it as a child came to my mind.
As I laid there thinking of the words “roll & yonder,” I came up with about 10 different meanings for the word roll and just laughed at the word yonder. We can just roll with it, or put butter on the roll, or I can roll up the beach towels! Looks like I’m on a roll. But none of these options are correct in this case for the word roll.
I remember when I was in school, the teacher would call out my name from her “roll” and I would need to reply with the word, “here” or “present!” If I did not speak up, he or she would mark me as “absent.” I was present somewhere (most likely at home, sick), but I was not in my seat where I was supposed to be. I just asked my son if he remembered this and he said it’s still done today, even in some of the college classes he had a few years ago. Who knew! If you belong to a club, organization or Sunday school class, your name will be added to the membership roll, indicating you belong and are counted among the others in common within the group.
“Up yonder” is an old fashioned way of saying “at a distance; but within view.” I had to look it up. It’s both directional and attainable.
In 2 Corinthians 5:8, we read the words of Paul, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
During the early morning pondering of these things last weekend, this verse came to my mind as well and I noticed the link between the word “roll” and the word “present.” I thought about when our physical bodies die and we are absent from them, we who are In Christ, are immediately present with the Lord in our heavenly home (up yonder).
As we get close to that day, our bodies groan and sigh and long for the day we put on our heavenly bodies, or new clothing. It is God Himself who makes our new bodies and prepares us to fit into them. We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, that God has guaranteed this transition from the old to the new by the deposit of his Holy Spirit, when we receive Him.
So…we can be sure of the direction we are going and that we can attain it when we are ready to step into eternity. And to the dying saint, it is closely within view. As he or she passes from this life into eternity, we may call out their name, and then declare “absent.” But to those whose names are on heaven’s membership roll, simultaneously, as they are said to be absent from their body, Jesus has called out their name, and with a strong new voice, he hears them say “present” or I’m here!
Such was the case of my beautiful mother-in-love Gladys Grimaud, on Sunday evening after she finished her race on earth. It was a privilege to link arms with the family and serve her in her final days on earth. We already miss her but we are confident she is Up Yonder and when my name is called up yonder, I’ll be there too. Won’t you join us?
Thank you for allowing me to honor our mother, Gladys, in this month’s publication. To know about her, you also know about Jesus. All the caregivers, nurses or anyone who came to the house over the past 8 months were prayed for…by her. People would come to minister & serve her and leave inspired, encouraged and desiring to love Jesus and others just like Ms. Gladys, Momma Gladys, Mom, Grandmother, Sis and Aunt Gladys did. Her children and grandchildren and all the family honor and salute her and rise up and call her blessed. We will carry the torch and keep the legacy going. We will continue in the faith and live a life of prayer and in fellowship with Jesus and we will be confident that one day we shall meet again, healed, whole & free, up yonder!
Enjoy listening to this song by Shane & Shane based on Psalm 84 (I’m Home).
As always… if you have a specific prayer request you’d like to me to pray, I’d be honored. Just reply to this email.
I’m dedicating this month’s Good eNews to my husband’s precious mother Gladys Grimaud. It has only been a few days since she was completely healed of cancer and met Jesus face to face!
Note: This month’s Good eNews passage above, Psalm 84, were among the last words I personally heard her speak, when she requested my husband read it late Sunday morning, 6-9-24, the day she passed.
During the Spring of 2023, Greg’s mom, Gladys published her book, No Compromise, which is a legacy book our family and friends will treasure forever. My mother-in-love was a great story teller. She and her sweet Joe, Greg’s dad, were motivated to see marriages and families restored. They were both very instrumental in the restoration of mine and Greg’s marriage, as I share in my book, Good Grief I’m Healed.
Gladys & Joe were also very instrumental in helping people across the waters, in Africa as well as in America. Just reading some of the obituary comments from people who’s lives she influenced and impacted has blessed my heart. I know God is pleased with His daughter who loved well.
Her book, No Compromise, is an easy read and if you’d like to get a copy, you’ll be glad you did. I took the above picture after recording her reading some of her chapters in her own voice and with her vibrant personality. Priceless!