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Joy Bells

My Mum, Hannah Maud Flood died on 3 August 2005. I still miss her so much, but in many ways her death was a very positive experience. I was with her as she died and was holding her hand and it was privilege to be there when she took her last breath. My mum was 84 and had always been very active and it was a blessing the Lord took her when he did to save her from inactivity, pain and suffering in a nursing home. She would have hated it and the Lord knew that, so he took her home. The Lord gave my mum a peace about dying. We talked about it, and she was ready to go home to be with her Saviour. She was sorry to say goodbye, but she knew it was time to go and knew she would see us again one day. What a blessing it is to know that we need not fear death and all because of Jesus. My mum was a great writer and wrote many poems. At her funeral I read out one of her poems, which I found among her belongings but which I had never seen before and I want to share it with you now.

There are joy bells ringing in my heart
And a love that never will depart
For Jesus has come into my heart to stay
He’s taken all my cares and thrown them all away
He’s lifted me out of the miry clay
And turned my darkness into day
I feel so happy and glad and free
Because there’s joy bells ringing in my heart
Are you walking each day with the Saviour
And knowing you love him so
Following along in His Footsteps and telling the folk you know
Tell the mountains and dales that his love never fails
Tell the little birds that sing
Tell every nation and all creation
Let the gospel message ring
Up in heaven He’s built a home for me
Through faith in Him, He’s given me the key
And when I unlock the door
I’ll see heaven’s golden shore
And I’ll dwell with my Lord forever more
So I want to pass this message onto you
Sinner trust him, the Bible says it’s true
If into his arms you’ll fly
You’ll not regret it, he’ll hear your cry
And with him you’ll reign forever more.
(By Maud Flood)
My mum’s in heaven with her Saviour, what a blessing, what a Saviour.

“Death has been swallowed up in Victory…Where O death is your victory? Where O Death is your sting? …We have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15 : 54-57 (NIV)

Amen.