Grandma Sooter
February 12, 1933 – December 12, 2024
There’s something magnificent about a life well-lived.
There’s something special about living into your 90s.
There’s something hard about losing a loved one.
There’s something peaceful about knowing they’re with Jesus.
This lady went to Heaven today, and what a gain it was for Heaven.
This lady is back with her precious Wilburn.
This lady loved her people well, and always wanted the best for them.
This lady was so incredibly precious.
I was blessed with 4 grandparents of my very own, and God saw fit to give me two additional darlings in Grandma and Grandpa Sooter.
Having known their granddaughter through church, and dating their grandson for a while, I had the privilege of getting to know them over the years – my adoration growing through each interaction.
I got to enjoy lots of special visits with them (which lasted well past the expiration of my relationship with their grandson) and on through my move down to San Diego. Grandpa Sooter passed away back in 2017 – at 91 years of age, on their 66th wedding anniversary, and Grandma Sooter passed away today – at 91 years of age.
You may recall me sharing about the cute grandpa I met at my friend’s graduation party who prayed over me and I got instantly healed from severe whiplash during the prayer…that was the first time I met Grandpa Sooter.
It’s rare to get to have grandparents in your late 30s, and I’m so grateful I’ve had the honor of having them in my life, and knowing their gentle spirits and kind hearts.
I got to pray with them, share meals with them, talk with them, and listen to them share stories from decades past.
I shared wins with them and heartaches with them, and they with me. Grandma’s passing wasn’t sudden or unexpected, but it doesn’t remove the sadness of knowing I won’t get to hug her again, or hear her sweet laugh.
BUT, through any loss, there is gain.
I have immense peace knowing she’s in the arms of Jesus, resting truly in peace. If I can encourage you with this post, it would be to (1) love your people well and often, and (2) get your eternity straightened out while you’re on this side of it!
If you don’t know Jesus, haven’t given your life to Him, or you’ve been resisting full surrender, NOW is a great time to do so! We may not all have 91+ years on earth, and life is so sweet with Him (even through the heartaches).
He’s good and faithful, even though people may fail us. Even when people may leave us, He never will.
There’s peace in death if you know you’re going to be with Jesus, and I’m so grateful for Grandma that she knew that. She knew where she was going. She knew that as she drew her last breath on earth, she would draw her first one in Heaven.
God only does spectacular exchanges. He gives beauty for ashes. Joy for sorrow. Harvest for seeds. Life for death.
How extraordinary it is to know that Grandma is dancing in Heaven, full of health and joy, when it was just mere hours ago she was alive on earth, but just ever so barely, and certainly not getting to enjoy her days in her capacity. She is vibrantly thriving, reunited with Grandpa Sooter, and celebrating for the rest of eternity!
You, too, can have that assurance, by believing in your heart and speaking out that belief. It can be as simple as saying “Jesus, I trust You. I believe You died for me. I believe Heaven is my home, and I want You as Lord of my life, now and for eternity. Amen.”
May you live well, laugh often, and love much – it may be a cheesy sign, but it makes for a really beautiful life when it’s implemented.
