A Land that is Fairer Than Day

These past few days, several trips have been made back and forth between the hospital and the house for both my brother and me.

Not a quick drive across town, but a 50 mile drive (one way) across the Metroplex.  Perhaps for many that’s not a big deal and they do it daily in their commute, but personally I like to stay close to home.  My brother had it even tougher; his drive as 6 hours round trip and he made it several time too.  But for me, big city driving has never been a favorite pastime.  But we all know that ‘you do what have to do’…better yet, we do what needs to be done!  And for me these past few days, making that jaunt needed to be done.

Daddy fell two weeks ago come Monday as he was walking down the hall way in his apartment.  A walk he had taken hundreds of times in the last 7 years, but on March 11th this ‘last’ walk ended with him laying on the floor with a fractured hip.  From there it was a hard road…surgery was 3 days later, and rehab was inevitable.  He seemed to be coming along pretty well on Monday, four days after surgery, but this afternoon it all changed.  Due to complications from his surgery (blood clot most likely), daddy passed away.  From all accounts it happened pretty quickly and he didn’t suffer.  The road ahead was looking to be a long one and the rehabilitation was certain to be difficult for daddy.  But he’s free from that pain now.  His body (more like his soul) is at rest and we will do our best to honor his memory.

As my brother and I stood in the emergency room this afternoon and said our final ‘Good-bye’, Doyle quietly said the following words; “There’s a land that is fairer than day…”  I echoed, “…and by faith we can see it afar.”  Daddy has gone home and this physical life is behind him now.  We rest assured knowing that there is a sweet by and by, and that thought brings us comfort.  Time changes everything and we all realize that death comes in time, but we hold fast to the hope we have in Christ.  As I drove home from the hospital this evening I spent some time singing and talking to God.  My prayer was simple; asking for comfort, safety on the road and understanding…but something more was added to my prayer list.  I thanked God for giving me a daddy who taught me Jesus Christ.  A father who raised me to honor God and always strive to serve Him.  For that blessing I am most thankful!

1. There’s a land that is fairer than day,
   And by faith we can see it afar;
   For the Father waits over the way
   To prepare us a dwelling place there.
   • Chorus:
     In the sweet by and by,
     We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
     In the sweet by and by,
     We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
2. We shall sing on that beautiful shore
   The melodious songs of the blessed;
   And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
   Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
3. To our bountiful Father above,
   We will offer our tribute of praise
   For the glorious gift of His love
   And the blessings that hallow our days.
   
   As I conclude this memorial to my daddy, let me take a moment to share a passage from the book which bears his name.  James chapter 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering?  Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.”  After 83 years, James Bruce will be missed on this earth.  His last surviving brother and two sisters (not to mention his widow and four sons and their families) will miss him dearly, but we hold to the hope that some day soon… “We shall meet on that beautiful shore.”