We extend our Condolences

I haven't met Ipekutty's dad; but I feel I have met him through Ipekutty. Most of the time we can learn quite a lot about a person from him children. I also feel a profound sorrow when hearing of Ipekutty's father's death. It is coming so close to the Christmas and the time of the grand reunion of the KMC-ites at Kumarakom where Ipekutty played a pivotal role, makes it even harder to chew.

"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." - Job 5:26.

One of the songs we sing at the time of death of a person is titled "I finished my race". Doubtless, it came from the famous saying of St. Paul, "I finished my race and is waiting to meet my savior to enter into eternal life."

In one of the oldest such songs "Samayamam radhathil njan swarga yathra cheyyunnu", it talks of time like a chariot, leading us to the journey to heaven. There is only very little time left to meet my God and I am anxious to meet him.

A newer one begins like this:

The song talks of the multitudes of angels, lining up to receive us at our death. It is a great sight indeed.

So, for a Christian, death means the beginning of good things, the everlasting life with our Lord. Each person comes to this world with a mission to accomplish some things. When they complete it, they are called back.

"A Christian has nothing to lose by death. You say he has to lose his friends. I am not so sure of that. Many of you have may more friends in heaven than on earth; some Christians have more dearly beloved ones above than below. You often count your family circle, but do you do as that little girl of whom Wordsworth speaks, when she said, "Master, we are seven." Some of them were dead and gone to heaven, but she would have it that they were all brothers and sisters still. Oh I how many brothers and sisters we have up stairs in the upper room in our Father's house; how many dear ones, linked with us in the ties of relationship, for they are as much our relations now as they were then! Though in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, yet in that great world, who has said that the ties of affection shall be severed, so that we shall not even there claim kindred with one another, as well as kindred with Jesus Christ?

What have we to lose by death? Come when he may, should we not open the door for him? I would love to feel like that woman who said, when she was dying, "I feel like a door on the latch, ready to be opened to let my Lord in." Is not that a sweet state, to have the house ready, so that it will require no setting in order?

When death comes to a wicked man, he finds him moored fast, he snaps his cable, and drives his ship to sea; but when he comes to the Christian, he finds him winding up the anchor, and he says, "When thou hast done thy work, and shipped the anchor, I will take thee home." With sweet breath he blows on him, and the ship is wafted gently to heaven, with no regrets for life, but with angels at the brow, spirits guiding the rudder, sweet songs coming through the cordage, and canvass silvered o'er with light."

Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, September 9, 1855

It is hard to rejoice when our loved ones depart. So, let us pray that Ipekutty, Kumari and Nithin and their extended family find the wisdom and courage to overcome this loss.

We extend our deep condolences to Ipekutty's family.

Jacob and Shila