There are times in my life, where I’d like to freeze time—there is so much joy, so much laughter, so much love.  Then there are times of unbearable pain and sadness. Much of time however, is filled with routine, with tasks to be performed, and with service to others.

At any given moment, time is like a snapshot, and whatever one is focused on for that picture, will correspondingly bring thoughts like, “I love life!!”  or “This is the pits!!”

There is one thought that helps me endure when I think I can’t endure one more second–and that is the thought that this “Time” is not all there is.   The pain will end someday, but the joy of life, the love of life, the meaning of life—that has no end.   That will continue beyond this “Time”.

I am very, very glad that God has limited “Time” for each of us.   Most people do not live beyond the age of 80, some live to 100 years of age, very, very few live beyond that age.   I know that the pain of losing others on this earth and missing others—makes me eager to rejoin them in heaven.  Yet, I also want to stay on earth as long as God wants me to stay—-for the sake of the loved ones that are still here—to be a part of their lives, to love them, to serve them.

“Will the Circle be unbroken”, is a song that expresses the thought of being reunited with our loved ones in heaven. 

My husband asked for this song to be sung at our son’s funeral.   I am sharing a really old version of the song–but I really love it–however we had the following verses sung at Sean’s funeral–not the ones in the song I am sharing.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

There are loved ones in the glory, 

Whose dear forms you often miss; 

When you close your earthly story, 

Will you join them in their bliss?

Chorus:

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by?

There’s a better home awaiting

In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

In the joyous days of childhood, 

Oft they told of wondrous love, 

Pointed to the dying Saviour; 

Now they dwell with Him above.

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord,  by and by?

There’s a better home awaiting

In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

You remember songs of heaven

Which you sang with childish voice, 

Do you love the hymns they taught you, 

Or are songs of earth your choice?

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by?

There’s a better home awaiting

In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

You can picture happy gath’rings

‘Round the fireside long ago, 

And you think of tearful partings, 

When they left you here below.

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by?

Is a better home awaiting

In the sky, Lord, in the sky?

One by one their seats were emptied, 

And one by one they went away; 

Now the family is parted, 

Will it be complete one day?

Will the circle be unbroken

By and by, Lord, by and by?

There’s a better home awaiting

In the sky, in the sky?

Johnny Cash, Nitty Gritty Band and others singing–

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

May We Be Encouraged!!