"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Today, I had the privilege of playing the piano for a funeral of a dear friend and sister in the Lord, Mabel Yorston. http://www.inmemoriam.ca/view-announcement-397117-mabel-yorston.html

As I was getting ready to go I was thinking of a scripture verse that was quoted yesterday at the funeral home during the wake, "a time to weep, and a time to laugh". 

I read Ecclesiastes 3 this morning and it says "to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die;....A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"

Ecclesiastes 3

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Mabel was loved by all. Daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, Nana, and friend. She was lovely. She was always well-dressed.  Josh and I named her The Queen of Squares.  She always made the best squares at the chapel. She had a big heart.  She loved our children.  In her last days in hospital, she was weak but still managed to blow kisses to my little girls.  She was able to shed tears as my youngest said, "I love you, we pray for you every day".  Memories that will never be forgotten.  Precious moments.  She loved them so dearly. She was willing to help and was full of wisdom   There were many tears shed but a lot of rejoicing as well because we will see her again and this is not the end for her!  She is in a much better place. No more pain, no more sorrow.  A lifetime of being with her Saviour.  I wonder what it's like!?

Our time here is limited, some have more time than others but what we do with our time is more important.  What we do for eternity is what matters in the end.  While on this earth we must seek those things which are above, not on things on this earth.

Colossians 3:1-4
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

We don't know about tomorrow, but we know who holds tomorrow.  We have no fear in death for those that trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Make every day count. At the end of your life, let it be said, "well done, thou good and faithful servant".