Until Then

I was singing this song last night. But I had no idea how relevant it would be today.

“I got the news this morning. I can’t believe she’s gone. I thought she’d be here forever, but one more time, time proved me wrong. It was just a while ago I stopped by to say hello. Now, I’m reminded, once again, that life is a vapor in the wind.”

“Each day, the mirror tells the story. I wonder where the time has gone? Children laughing around the table now have children of their own.”

“There may be some things you need to say, but while today is still today, you have the chance to hold them close. And one more chance to let them know.”

“Love the people that God gives you. They’re a gift that Heaven sent. Live and laugh and make some memories, cherish every moment spent. None of us are here forever, and that’s a proven fact. Love the people that God gives you because, one day, He’ll want them back.”

The cancer had wreaked havoc on her body. Not feeling well would be an understatement. Courtney had asked if we’d pick up something, so we did. We dropped it off, and during the short visit, we started praying.

I prayed for her healing and total restoration in her body. And she prayed, too. But she wasn’t praying for herself; she was praying for me.

She prayed that God would anoint me and my family as we minister in missions. She prayed that God would strengthen us and help us, and we would be fruitful in the harvest field.

And that’s when I knew what I hadn’t fully known about Anna until then: she cared deeply. She may not have shown her love in a way you fully realized at the time, but it was love, nonetheless.

She was always the aunt, the cousin, the one with the microphone at the family reunion telling everybody to get their hind ends over to the hay bales to get family pictures.

I’ll admit, there were times I rushed out of the church at the end of service because she wanted a group picture with somebody. I didn’t want my ugly mug in yet another photograph. But she would mention it the next time I saw her. She would say, “You didn’t stay for the picture. We missed having you in it.”

“Mm-hmm. Hey, did you hear about the new updates in the presidential race?” That would move the conversation along pretty quickly.

Anna would’ve made a good spy. How did she know everybody’s location to know which weather update to send? I was always suspicious of that.

January 3, 2019, she messaged us that there was a 21-car pile-up in Tulsa. We had no idea. We lived there and hadn’t heard anything about it. She was states away and heard about it.

December 4, 2018, she sent a text to Charity:

Anna: “Howdy guys. Just checking in to find out when you all are making your way home to WP. Would love to see ya. Btw, Charity, are you expecting? Hope you are.”

Charity: “We aren’t certain when we’ll be there yet. We are definitely not pregnant! lol.”

Anna: “Ok… Awwww. But you just might be soon.”

At that point, Charity was two weeks pregnant, and we had no idea. But when we announced it in January 2019, she sent us a message on Facebook, “I knew it! The Lord spoke to me. Congratulations!”

She was unique and not one to follow the crowd. I don’t know of anyone else like her. She was always thinking and looking for a new trail to blaze.

But now she’s in Heaven. And I will guarantee you that at some point today, everybody in that land of pure delight had to gather around the throne of God for a group photo.

And one day, we’ll join her and the many others who have gone on before us.

“The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile
And things of earth that cause this heart to tremble
Remembered there will only bring a smile.”

but until then, with joy, we’ll carry on,
– Caleb