I'll Watch From Heaven

[VERSE 1]  
I’m off to Heaven, while you must remain 
Parting’s not easy, our souls are in pain 
Let all your tears fall, it’s okay to weep 
Don’t hold them inside, give sorrow the sweep 
 
[CHORUS]  
In Jesus’ embrace, where pain does cease 
In Jesus’ embrace, there’s so much peace 
In God’s Kingdom, with beauty sublime 
I’ll watch from Heaven, until it’s your time 
 
[BRIDGE 1]  
Don’t follow me, for now you must wait 
God has a plan, with choices not fate 
Trust in Jesus, He’s your loving guide 
Be now at peace, with Him by your side 
 
[CHORUS]  
In Jesus’ embrace, where pain does cease 
In Jesus’ embrace, there’s so much peace 
In God’s Kingdom, with beauty sublime 
I’ll watch from Heaven, until it’s your time 
 
[VERSE 2]  
God gives us choices, down roads that He weaves 
Guiding us gently, as we laugh and grieve 
I’ll watch your journey, praying it will be long 
I’ll see you again, when He calls you home 
 
[BRIDGE 2]  
Don’t take the last road, that’s not yours to choose 
Only God and Jesus, know the time for you 
With love and laughter, let faith light your way 
I’m watching smiling, till that bless-ed day 
 
[CHORUS]  
In Jesus’ embrace, where pain does cease 
In Jesus’ embrace, there’s so much peace 
In God’s Kingdom, with beauty sublime 
I’ll watch from Heaven, until it’s your time 
 
[OUTRO]  
God has a plan, you know that it’s true 
We’ll be together, when He calls for you 
For now we must part, then off I will soar 
To Jesus’ embrace, for evermore 
        

Liner Notes

This song was born from quiet moments of reflection and deep conversations about how we speak to those we love—especially children—about loss, grief, and the promise of Heaven. I wrote it with my wife in mind, knowing the sorrow she would face when her 92-year-old mother’s time to go to Jesus’s embrace would come to pass. I also thought of my own mother, already grieving the loss of a son, and preparing for day when my father, who is battling cancer, is called home.

“I’ll Watch from Heaven” is a message from the departing to the ones left behind. It acknowledges the pain of goodbye while gently affirming that Heaven is not a destination to rush toward. It’s a place of peace, yes—but our time on Earth is sacred, and meant to be lived fully. The lyrics urge loved ones to grieve honestly, to cry without shame, and to find comfort in faith. They also carry a quiet warning: that even in our longing to reunite, we must trust God’s timing. Only He and Jesus know when we’re to be called home.

This message feels especially urgent when we think of children. We often tell them how beautiful Heaven is, but we don’t always explain that it’s not a place to chase. I’ve imagined, with horror, a grieving child who hears that their friend is “in a better place” and, not knowing how to process the loss, runs into traffic hoping to join them in Heaven. This song is my way of saying: God does not want us to die from grief. He wants us to live, to laugh, to choose joy—even in sorrow. He will make it clear when He is calling us home.

The lyrics are grounded in Christian truths: Jesus’ loving embrace, God’s sovereign plan, and the assurance that we are watched over from above. Scriptures like John 14:2–3 (“I go to prepare a place for you”) and Psalm 34:18 (“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted”) echoed in my heart as I wrote. I picture those who’ve gone before us smiling down, eager for the day we’ll share our earthly stories in God’s presence.

Dedicated to Trudy Brauner, my beloved mother-in-law, and to anyone who’s lost someone and struggled to explain the unexplainable. Thanks to my faith community for the conversations that sparked this song, and to those who helped refine the words—it sings because of you.

May this song bring comfort. May it remind us to live boldly, grieve honestly, and trust the plan. We’ll meet again in glory.