"Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne'er forsaketh..."

The passing of a loved one is never easy. Though we should rejoice and celebrate their reunion with the Lord and their loved ones, it's so hard to forget the sorry and the hole that has just been made in our lives. Even yesterday, as we celebrated Pentecost, the baptism and beginning of a new life with the Holy Spirit, and performed a baptism of water on a wonderful new life, it was so hard to forget the ending of a truly blessed and full life. It's funny how something so joyous is so sad at the very same time. Funny how the glory of a new life forces us to remember and feel sharply the sting of physical death that must come for all. I guess that's why we have such wonderful, comforting hymns such as this one we sang yesterday morning.

Children of the heav'nly Father
Safely in His bosom gatehr;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge refuge ne'er was given.

God His own doth tend and nourish,
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them,
In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace he showeth,
And His sorrows all He knoweth.

Praise the Lord in joyful numbers,
Your protector never slumbers;
At the will of your Defender
Ev'ry foeman must surrender.

Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne'er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose soley
To preserve them pure and holy.