In Honor of Bruce E. Hall, Sr.

“I’ll Fly Away” is an old Southern Gospel Song most often heard at funerals.  It is an uplifting, joyous song turning an otherwise solemn occasion into one of excited anticipation.  The butterfly sitting on the live plant in front of my father, Bruce E. Hall, Sr.’s casket brought back memories of the song.  On July, 1, 2014, my Dad flew away like a butterfly takes flight from its resting place to parts unknown.  Contrary to the butterfly, I am comforted because the scripture says I can be assured of where my father has gone. 

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

5 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

 

Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  To see that butterfly next to the casket gave me comfort and brought a smile to my face.  He flew away quickly.  The timing was much sooner than I expected but he had finished his work and was prepared for his flight. From hence forth, butterflies have a new meaning for me.