When Shannon had a problem she could not solve-she would come over and we would look at scripture and pray together. I was able to have a mentoring relationship with her that was very sweet indeed. She loved the Lord and no matter how hard a Scriptural answer was to her -she always obeyed without hesitation. She loved her Lord and her husband-children and friends in a very selfless and Christlike way.
What I am contemplating today is the fact that a Christian faces death in a much different way than a non-believer. I have seen it both ways. In the past year we have lost 2 of my husbands sisters and a brother in law to cancer and other illness. These families did not know God-nor do they have the hope that the Cross of Christ brings at death. Shannon herself faced death with such trust and confidence in God. Her dying has been a much witnessed glory to God. Her hubby has been leaning on the everlasting arms and witnessing to the power of the Gospel for a very long time-as he has watched her decline.
The tear saturated hope and joy(something known to believers in the Gospel of Christ alone)has been a treasure to experience! I have seen it the other way-tear saturated despair and despondency-drugs administered to dull the pain. It is a horrible thing to see. Only the Gospel can alleviate that kind of hopelessness. We weep over Shannon-only in the sense that we miss her so much. Shannon is in Heaven today-because of Jesus-she is not grieving at all. I can remember her saying to me one day that all that mattered to her was the Cross of Christ-that is a mindset to die with-for sure.
Let me share one of my favorite verses with you-one that I always meditate on when a believer dies:
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Knowing God makes all the difference when you or a loved one is facing death.
I am so sorry for your loss. It must be very difficult for you since she was like a daughter to you. I pray for the comfort that only the Lord can give for you. I will also pray for her sons. How wonderful it is that they have you in their lives to minister to them and remind them of the hope we have in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI"m so sorry, Vicki. May the Lord be your comfort and her family's as well. It does make all the difference in the world to face death as a Christian.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear young friend Vicky. My, so young - God's ways are not ours and I pray that He will comfort her husband and children as only He can do. I pray He will continue to use you in the lives of her loved ones.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Vicki, I am sorry to hear this, and at the same time it is encouraging to hear how the children of God face death full of hope.
ReplyDeletePraying for your friends' family today.
A note on the side... I need to contact you personally, but can`t find your email, would you mind contacting me? My email is:
dailyonmywaytoheaven {at} yahoo.com
Bless you!
Oh Vicki. I am so sorry. I pray Christ's presence and word would comfort you. One of my best friends went to be with the Lord almost 2 years ago after fighting breast cancer. Her talk on her website is wonderful. www.rachelbarkey.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your kind words. I know this family needs much prayer. Thank you for that also.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone needs me my email is vlbl@verizon.net.
I cannot find a way to put a contact button on my home page. Blogger does not have a way to do that. I am stumped as to the reason for that.