…let every living thing praise His name forever.

Psalm 145:21 CSV

I could hear Mother’s soft giggle at Aunt Annie’s small country funeral as the soloist sang, “In the Garden.” Mother’s dementia had claimed her speech, so her giggle blessed me. Then, when her alto voice joined in on the chorus, my heart overflowed! As Daddy patted her leg and told her to stop singing, I whispered, “Aunt Annie would love this. Let’s let her sing.” And did she sing—all four choruses! That was the last time I heard my mother speak. It’s now a treasured memory of her praising His name.

 I recently witnessed a similar story at another small funeral. We stood around the gravesite and heard the daughter share of her gentle mother’s life—a life of joy and suffering. The daughter thanked the caregivers who had watched over her mother who, like mine, suffered from dementia. She thanked them especially for joining her mother as she sang “Jesus Loves Me” over-and-over. I loved that image—professional caregivers singing “Jesus Loves Me” with a ninety-year-old child of God, soon to be with her Savior. She knew Jesus loved her, and her song praised His name.

Then there’s that amazing little Mockingbird who joined me as I pulled into my parking place at my workplace. As the radio and I blasted out a praise song, he flew closer and perched atop a sign by the car’s bumper. He listened so intensely that I rolled down my window and turned up the volume. For a brief moment, while that little Mockingbird and I praised God together, I caught a glimpse of that day when all creation will worship Him together.

I eagerly anticipate that glorious day—when the old, the young, the heavens, the earth, and all the creatures will worship together. In the meantime, I’ll settle for the gentle glimpses God provides and revel in the treasured peace of anticipation.

Linda Les