Revelation 14:13 — And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

We went to a wonderful party today! Well, to be clear, it was a “Homegoing Celebration” for a wonderful woman. Some might say the timing — just before Christmas — was unfortunate, but I can’t help thinking that The Lord was planning His birthday party this year and said to His helpers, “I know, let’s have Norma this year — she’s great fun, a wonderful singer, and I think she’s about ready”!
Her family spoke very movingly of Norma … of her live wire personality, her wonderful character and — above all — Her commitment to living out her Christianity, sharing it at any opportunity. I knew all that, but Norma touched me personally in a very simple way.
I lay awake for a little while last night, and I thought of Norma. As I thought, the word that came to mind was “grace”. Not the kind of grace that means “elegance of movement” (though judging by some of the photographs we saw today, she had plenty of that in her younger days”. No, Norma had — or rather gave — the kind of grace Christians understand: the giving of unmerited favor to those who need it. That was how Norma touched me — literally. When I joined the church choir, about two years ago, I was very unsure if I should. It was a good thirty years since I had done any singing, and I didn’t know if I could handle the choir’s program. Norma, who really didn’t know me just encouraged me. She’d come up to me, put her hand on my arm, and say a little word. Nothing great, just a little word that made it clear that as far as she was concerned, I certainly belonged.
Now you might not think Norma’s kindness to me was a big deal (I happen to think it was, but you might disagree). But Norma had been giving simple gifts of grace like that every day, for a long time. It’s hard to imagine how many people she witnessed to, and how many Christians she encouraged.
This morning, in our Bible reading, I came across Revelation 14:13. It, too, reminded me of Norma. Especially, my eye was caught by the words “that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” I love what Henry Cowles says of this verse : “their works are the witness of their fidelity to Christ and place them within the pale of his friends whom he graciously rewards immeasurably beyond the line of their simply just deserts. So great is his love to those who have sought to be true and faithful to his name!” So great, I think, is Jesus’s love for Norma.
Happy Birthday Jesus! Have fun with our friend!