The Lily Blooms Again

Inspired by the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II A few precious passages, familiar to believerswarmed, comforted and exhorted we who remain... Psalm 103:13-18As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;14 for he knows how we are formed,he remembers that we are dust.15 The life of mortals is like grass,they flourish like a flower of the field;16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,and its place remembers it no more.17 But from everlasting to everlastingthe Lord’s love is with those who fear him,and his righteousness with their children’s children—18 with those who keep his covenantand remember to obey his precepts. Rev. 21:1-4Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” So many moving images... The Lily’s bloom is shedHer crown of glory spentThe scepter falls, as silver threadOf mortal breath is rent The Lily’s splendor liesIn funereal reposeHer final flight escapes the eyesFixed on life’s curtain-close The Lily’s beauty bowsBeneath the Hand of HeWhose law is love, whose kingdom flowsThroughout eternity The Lily’s stem is shornThough petals deck the sodHer darling, deathless Bud is borneBack to the arms of God So, though we mourn the lossOf touch, of sight and soundThe Lily sheds the albatrossOf glory, sorrow-crowned Where tears will never fallWhere flowers never fadeNo roses strewn in farewell’s thrallAs dust to dust is laid The Lily is not deadBut fairer now than thenIn the presence of God insteadThe Lily blooms again © Janet Martin In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, with love