Introduction

Julia and Jennifer Hudson are sisters. Their brother Jason Hudson and their Mother Darnell Donerson were murdered in their home in Chicago. Julia’s son, Julian, was kidnapped from their home and the police found his body 3 days later. Darnell Donerson was Julian’s Grandmother, and this poem talks about Jason, Julian, and Grandma (Darnell Donerson) being in heaven. It also talks about the two sisters, Julia and Jennifer, being left on Earth to go “Through the fire,” a picture of going through a terrible trial.

There are two groups of people here – three people in heaven, holding hands, and two people left on the Earth, and how someday they will be reunited again. The snow is a symbol of God’s presence, the choir is singing songs about joy and peace in believing, and one of the songs the choir sings mentions “A place of abundance.”

Losing your loved ones is certainly not a place of abundance, but seeing and experiencing God’s presence and peace in spite of the fiery trial all around you is. Where you are standing may be a fiery trial, but beyond that is the snow and whiteness of His power and presence, and beyond that is heaven, where Julian, Jason, and Grandma are now holding hands by the Throne of God in heaven. You can read more about all this in Revelation chapters 20 and 21. You can also read other features on this web site about these subjects.

By The River Holding Hands

Julian and Jason and Grandma

Three holding hands

In a circle on the sands

By the river

Near the Throne

By the river

Where a tree -

Stands in eternity…

Julia and Jennifer

Two holding hands

In a circle on the sands

By a fire

Near the Throne

By a fire

Where the two of them

Stand alone

On this side of eternity…

Julia and Jennifer

Walking through the fire

Cry out in despair

“NO, don’t take us there,”

How can we go on

Through the day

To another dawn

Of life without

Julian and Jason and Grandma?

The land around them was scorching hot

The fiery red sky

Made fear their only thought

And grief held them tightly

In the grip of despair

Oh does God still care

Why didn’t He answer our prayer

Why did He send us through this flame

What is His purpose

What is His aim

In all this pain?

Julian and Jason and Grandma

Three holding hands

In a circle on the sands

By the river

Near the Throne

By the river

Where a tree -

Stands in eternity

And the three of them are talking…

“Do you remember what happened?”

Julian asks his Grandma

“Did someone hurt us?”

Jason asks out loud –

But no one remembers

Exactly what happened…

And now they feel such joy

And their eyes are filled

With such beauty

And sparkling light and sound

That surrounds them

No matter where they walk…

And they know that when it’s time

Julia and Jennifer and their family

Will hold hands with them

In a circle on the sands

By the river

Near the Throne

By the river -

Where the tree of life

Stands in eternity

And now Julia and Jennifer

Walk through the fire

And cry and cry

Till their tears run dry

But they both look up

And discover in the distance

A strange sight -

A strange white light

Fills the horizon

And snow is falling on the fire

Snow is falling and a choir

Is singing joyfully

As the snow falls everywhere

On the ground and in their hair

On their clothes and in the air

The snow keeps coming down

And the song the choir sings

Such a beautiful sound

Rings over the fiery red land,

“Truly in a place of abundance,

I’ve found myself to be,

After going through fire and water,

God set my spirit free,

I’m waiting to see a new country,

And a city bright and new,

Which is built by God himself,

So wonderful for me and you.”

And beyond the fire,

Beyond the glow,

As Julia and Jennifer

Hear the choir,

As they see even past the snow,

There is a river

And a tree by the Throne

Where Julian and Jason and Grandma

Are holding hands –

And they will never be afraid,

And they will never be alone…

By Randy Stahla  For Julia & Jennifer Hudson and their family and friends who miss Julian, Jason, and Grandma Darnell.  10-28-08

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God the Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come...You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”    Revelation 4:8b&11

Through The Fire

Before I was afflicted,

I went astray,

But now I keep your word.

I went through the fire,

And through the deep water,

But my mind you always assured,

But my mind you always assured.

My soul waits in silence,

For God only,

For my hope is from him,

I went through the fire,

And through the deep water,

But my soul you always assured,

But my soul you always assured.

Truly in a place of abundance,

I’ve found myself to be,

After going through fire and water,

God set my spirit free.

God makes a home for the lonely,

And prepares a place for all,

So wait for his heavenly city,

For his heavenly call.

Interlude

For I know the plans that I have for you,

Plans to give you a future,

For I know the plans that I have for you,

Plans to give you a future.

Section “A”

Truly in a place of abundance,

I’ve found myself to be,

After going through fire and water,

God set my spirit free,

I’m waiting to see a new country,

And a city bright and new,

Which is built by God himself,

So wonderful for me and you.

Interlude

Repeat Section “A”

Which is built by God himself,

So wonderful for me and you,

For me, for you!

The World Fades Away

What the world has will never stay

What the world gives will all fade away

What the world has will never stay

What the world gives will all fade away.

My peace I leave with you

My peace I give to you,

Not as the world gives do I give to you,

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

He will keep you in perfect peace,

When you keep your mind on the Lord,

He will keep you in perfect peace,

When you keep your mind on the Lord.

(Repeat all of above)

What the world has will never stay,

What the world gives will all fade away.

(Repeat over and over until song fades out).

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