A Daily Ride Earth gives to everyone, And every Year a Trip around the Sun. ~ Arthur Guiterman, "Of Stars," A Poet's Proverbs, 1924

Good morning and I am thanking God today for my sister, JoAnn, who, as of today, Monday, December 29, 2025, has been blessed by God to attain 81 years here on the planet. She's not had an easy go of it for many of her years, however, she walks by faith and is an encouragement and inspiration to us all. That's her behind the couch on the right, and, that's yours truly on the couch sitting on the left next to mom. Looking at that photo taken on Resurrection Sunday, 1953, in Hornbeck, Lousiana, in the living room of mom's parents we were visiting, Granny and Paw Paw Mac, and it is worth noting that JoAnn and I are the only ones left in our sojourn in this life. Dad, Jimmy, Kayla, Donald, Mom, (step dad Jose), and Frances, they have all gone on to their reward. I believe we will see them again on the other side. I don't altogether understand how that will work but faith in The Scriptures inform me that I will. We sing much about that as we remember our loved ones gone on before. One that I grew up singing was entitled 'Glad Reunion Day'. It was written by a prolific song writer, Adger M. Pace, and published in 1940. It's one that reflects our hopes of seeing our saved loved ones again: 

 

The lyrics may be hard to see in that photo of how it appeared in the song books we used, in shape note style.

 

Lyrics: 

Glad Reunion Day

There will be a happy meeting in heaven I know When we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below. Gather on the blessed hilltops with hearts all aglow. That will be a glad reunion day.


(Chorus)

Glad day, a wonderful day, Glad day, a glorious day; There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay, That will be a glad reunion day.

There within the holy city we’ll sing and rejoice, Praising Christ the blessed Saviour with heart and with voice. Tell him how we came to love Him and make Him our choice. That will be a glad reunion day.

(Chorus)

When we live a million years in that wonderful place Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face. It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace. That will be glad reunion day.

(Chorus)

 

While we are enthralled by the truth illustrated in that song, I would be remiss not to point out the overwhelming joy to be experienced, as Bro. Pace wrote it, "Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace That will be a glad reunion day." We love to think about seeing mother and dad and others, however, on that day we shall see Jesus, the One who gave Himself up in our place that we might spend eternity in His presence, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I am looking forward to what all this means. I am. I really am. I hope you are too. Again, Happy Birthday Sis, and, may God add His blessings. Amen.