Written on the occasion of the death of Joanne Martin, a dear child of God, whom Christ sent into the world for an example of love, suffering and humility, and for the strengthening of the faith and patience of His saints and to the praise of the glory of His Grace.

Sometimes my friends ask me To speak a small word; Over their loved ones Who are called by their Lord:

Then, sometimes how feeble I feel to arise; When I look for that Hope That is over the Skies.

My friends I can't comfort, Because I'm only a man; Though they love and respect me, And I've done all I can.

To a Hope that is greater, We're now called to look; When earth has thus finished And closed up her book:

I'ts hard to release them Whom our heart's may have loved, With all of the closeness With which nature is moved;

As Martha, of Beth'ny Whom Christ dearly loved; Looked for that redemption With tradition interwove;

And saw the resurrection As she had been taught; When Jesus then showed her That which her soul sought.

The Life of the saints Is not so far off; Nor bound to the realm Of mere philosophe;

But is vested in Jesus Who presently lives; From whom is now flowing The Life which He gives:

And those who are living And believe now in Him; Though their body may perish From the ravage of sin;

Shall still live on in Him Past the Ages of Time; When heavens are finished, With all of earth's clime.

By the Power that did raise Dear Lazarus of old, And still in His Wisdom Does all things uphold.

Who shall, to our body That goes in the ground; Change just in a moment, When His voice shall sound.

It is sown in weakness But raised in His Power; Though fallen corruptible, And must to the earth lower.

Though sown in dishonour, As viewed by us here; Yet shining in glory. When there, shall appear:

For when the Dear Son Whose goings have been, From annals Eternal Who appeared for our sin;

Will raise it in Glory As to Heaven He arose, And left the Perfume Of His own lovely Rose.

Our body shall answer In time, when He calls; And swift as a thought From where it thus falls;

Shall mount to those Realms And with Him then dwell; When free from earth's burdens, With it's gloom to dispel.

For Christ shall descend With a voice that's so loud; That Death shall not hinder Those under this cloud.

But changed in a moment, With His likeness appear; When clothed with His glory And free from all fear:

For Jesus first loved them Before Ages untold, -Before all of Creation, Or Time did unfold.

These He was then viewing Before Time began, -Those that were given In the Father's own Plan.

For them He did suffer While this earth He trod; He laid down His Life- His Blood stained this clod.

For all their transgressions, Which were against God; -He nailed to His cross From His Father's own rod.

Now as we're coming With sorrow and woe, To look on this small one That all we loved so:

To us she's appearing Where Death had it's sway; Her True Being is singing In Life's Endless Day.

Copyright(c) Nov. 1997 O. Allen Bailey