The snow had not arrived, but the forecast was imminent. I drove to my destination with anticipation. The Holy Spirit was already there. Her room was peaceful with cards from little ones strung on a twine in the window, notes of encouragement taped to the walls, and a plaque that reminded her and all visitors that “With God all things are possible”.
She was so peaceful at rest. I did not want to wake her. As I touched her small hand and gently spoke her name, she opened her eyes and smiled. Our exchange reminded me of running into a loved one or long awaited friend. Her smile was sweet, and her face glowing. I told her that Jesus was glowing from the inside out of her. Thank you.
She talked about her situation in short, fragmented sentences and teared up. We agreed that being sad was okay, and she handed me her tissue “filled with tears” she said. “Keep my tissue with tears.” I realized how sacred the moment was, even if it seemed odd, or confusing. Reasoning in these types of situations doesn’t seem right, but engaging and loving a holy experience.
Love never dies.
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. I Corinthians 13:8
When you sit at the side of someone not long for this world, you realize the sacred knowledge that all things in their season will cease. All your striving, accomplishments, misunderstandings, and work will come to an end. We will reach our limit this side of heaven and all things will be completed when we see Jesus face-to-face.
As the snow began to fall and accumulate, it was time to go home.
These moments are not to be worshiped in such a way that we can’t live in the now. In fact, it can make the now a richer experience. Jesus tried so hard to explain this to his disciples in John 10:
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
I think of the thief who selfishly desires to take what is inherently ours. Every day there is a battle. Will we turn our thoughts towards Jesus, or will we try to reason with a lie, or perversion of His truth?
One of the last things she shared with me was a desire to “go home”. She could not explain “home” past the simple request. I told her if I could put her in my pocket we would go. With a great sense of humor, she said, “That would have to be a pretty big pocket!”
“Anyone who goes through me…..”
Jesus put us in your pocket! Help us go through you. Help me see YOU as my home, and help me to live in this world knowing you desire more for me than I could ever dream up.
Jesus help me to not reason with the lies of the world, but trust that You are all powerful, loving, and gracious to defend and carry us in the palm of your hand (Isaiah 49:16). Like John, Lord help us to recline next to you and know you are our best friend, Savior, and true Father (John 13:23).
Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath
ARRESTED BY GRACE 
Hi Anna,
I was reading your blog and a few scriptures came to mind that I wanted to share with you. My heart goes out to you and your loved one. I’m praying for you.
In speaking of death and our heavenly dwelling, Paul wrote……
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 5:5
I find that strikingly beautiful and assuring. As believers in Christ, when the moment of our death comes, nothing will be left to chance. God, in Jesus Christ, has prepared a place for us AND Christ, by His Spirit, has prepared us for that place :). He began preparing even before the creation of the world, before we were even born. When He sent Jesus, He was preparing for our death. When Jesus hung on the cross, He was preparing for our death. When He sent His Spirit and began to turn us around in repentance and continued to work in our lives…..HE was preparing us for our death. Praise God.
Also, this is one of my favorite sermons on death…..
I pray it will be a blessing to you.
Love and miss you!!
Jen
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Dear Jen,
The verse and your commentary were just what my soul needed. I have not written in awhile, and I reminded myself how I long to connect with other believers on such deep things of the soul. Your quick reply and comments brought reassurance and love. I am filled. Oh how I miss you my sister. I could hear your voice in each word typed. I look forward to the sermon. I am going to place your comments as a post under Reader’s response because I feel it will speak to many who are worshiping in this place.
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Anna and Jen, your beautiful words lifted my spirit today and grounded my thoughts. Thank you and may God continue to bless my life with words filled with grace and composed by women of strong, unshakable faith such as you two and others! Blessings to all!
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Oh Libby. You are a strong woman of grace and faith. You story is God’s story!!! It’s so good to be grounded in our faith and to lean on each other.
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Indeed…sometimes we must lean so we don’t fall. BELIEVE! 🙏🙏🙏
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YES. BELIEVE!!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌈🌈🌈
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