My Grandmother: “35,000 Feet Up” : Baptist Bible Hour

My Grandmother: “35,000 Feet Up”

Posted by: Justin on October 7, 2010

Ruth Huffman — my precious, hospitable, loving, mighty, hymn-singing grandmother — passed away last week on September 27, 2010. Because of personal illness, I was unable to attend her funeral. So my attempt at some small epitaph comes in the form of a poem Ruth wrote on March 16, 1976, as she flew from Fiji to Australia (incidentally, to meet me for the first time at the age of three). I praise God that she is now hearing “His sweetest whispers” as she “air-walks” in the glorious presence of her beloved Savior Jesus Christ!

35,000 Feet Up

The sun’s shining down upon the clouds turns them into heavenly cities of indescribable majestic beauty, billowing into snowy castles and white mansions all about, everywhere with spires tapering on through the blue as only God can design. Fluffy clouds. . . so thick. . . surely, surely, I can walk on them!. . . I’ll walk on them!. . . I’ll fly all over these gold-fringed cities!. . . I’ll. . . .

Soft cloud-beds of angel’s hair,
I’ll step out and tumble there
And fling my arms up to the sky
To touch the blue as it goes by!

Then I’ll enter yon castle’s door
And shed my rags upon the floor,
While angel’s weave my lovely shroud
From armfuls of this silken cloud.

I’ll bathe in every sapphire pool
And dry myself with sheerest tulle
And dress in heaven’s finest lace
With only love upon my face.

In gratitude my heart will burst;
My tears rain down for those who thirst,
And all the pores within my skin
Will open up and sing to Him!

All downy sheep, white and silky,
Outlined on hills, blue and milky,
Will lift their heads from their grazing
And join in voice with my praising.

My ears, so deaf as they have been,
Will hear His sweetest whispers then;
My aching feet, stubborn, and slow
Will air-walk above the below.

As I pass through each mansion’s gate,
I’ll feel the joy it is to wait,
Cradled in the tallest tower
Held by pillars of His power.

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