by Joyce Sibthorpe
As I write, over the past 24 hours, two very special people have moved from residence earth to residence heaven. Yes, they have died, but they live, really live! One, my mother in law, lived 98 years in her body, and as it shut down, wearing out – she left us in peace, surrounded by those she had loved and birthed, who were able to pray, sing and read scriptures of hope to her. She could hear even when she was no longer able to speak and knew she was not alone – peace was very tangible in that corner of the hospital ward. You could say her life was full and her years many.
My other dear friend was young, had battled with cancer and experienced much sorrow in her life, but in the midst of the battle experienced many victories over fear and received much healing and peace. She also died surrounded by those who loved her, cared for her, longed for a different outcome, but have the assurance that she is now really living with Jesus, who she loved passionately.
Both live – really live!
When John the Baptist was beheaded, he was young, vital and his death untimely. Jesus, when he heard what had happened, wanted time alone with his friends, but the crowds followed him and even in his personal grief, he reached out, knowing he was part of a bigger picture. The crowds needed to know a Father who cared and loved them, and so he carried on teaching, healing, providing, caring and pointing men and women to new birth into the Kingdom of God, so they would never die, but live forever.
Pray for us and we bury our Mum and celebrate her life, and as we help Nigel and his children and the wider family to bury Rose, celebrate her life and begin to live a different life with many challenges.
We will mourn, shed tears, remember incidents that make us laugh and cry, but we will also live with the certainty that we will one day join them in the presence of Jesus for eternity.
Whilst we remain on earth there are millions who need to be introduced to Jesus, the one who saves them from death and gives eternal, everlasting life.
Comments (0 public comments, 0 member comments)
Please login to submit a comment
(You must also be a listed member).