The Night Grandpa Died

Just over five and a half hours ago (around 8:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, December 3, 2009), my grandpa breathed his last and left his failing body to be with the LORD. All of us in the family knew that his death was coming, since for some time his health had been deteriorating. I certainly knew that he could go at any moment. But what sadness when he actually went!

I was in the kitchen when my dad called to me from the room where Grandpa lay in his hospital bed, "Grandpa's gone." Despite all of the preparation, those months of knowing that he would die soon, I felt a moment of shock and disbelief. My mind flashed back to when I had experienced the same shock and disbelief years ago on hearing that my cousin had unexpectedly died.

Why was I shocked at Grandpa's death? I suppose that a part of me wanted to hang on to him, to keep him a little longer, and I even expected him to stay a little longer. But WHAM! Just like that, he's gone, and I am powerless to bring him back.

Because Grandpa believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him during his life on earth, I am confident that He is in a better place now. Thinking of where he is, I am happy for him. He gets to be in a place where he is free from the sin, pain, and suffering of this world. But the sadness of physical death remains, the ugly culmination of sin's curse in the form of a cold, lifeless body.

I sat beside Grandpa's bed and cried. I cried because of the separation: he's there and we're here. But I also cried as I thought of the significance of Grandpa's death. His life is over; his journey is done. He had a mission in life and he accomplished it. His work is complete.

But there's more to do. Grandpa's run the race, and he's finished well. His legs have crossed the finish line. But I feel as though his hand is reaching out and in it is a baton, and he's handing it to me if I'll take it. But I'm not worthy to take it! And that thought fills my eyes with tears.

Aunt Charlene, Grandpa's daughter, reminded me that none of us is worthy, that it's only through the Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to accomplish anything. And really that's the lesson of Grandpa's life. He was not a sinless man; he was not without faults. But the LORD was gracious to him.

Grandpa placed His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and submitted himself to His service. The LORD showed His goodness by taking Grandpa and using him to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom and allowing him to become a living example of the transforming power of divine love.

I love you, Grandpa! May your soul rejoice in the presence of your Savior, and may your body rest in peace!

Joel-David Hufstetler (Third Grandson)
December 4, 2009

Charles Arthur Hufstetler

(November 8, 1924-December 3, 2009)