On March 1, 2011 my best friend went to be with the Lord Jesus. As I wept at 'loosing' him, the Lord reminded me in Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints".
Greg Laurie gives a short commentary regarding this verse: " It is a promotion when God calls someone to heaven. An early death means an early crown. It is a privilege, not a punishment. When this happens, we say of that loved one, "They are gone". And in one sense, that is true But in another sense, it is not true at all. I think a better way to say it would be, "They are gone for now". To merely say they are gone implies they no longer esist. But to say they are gone for now speaks of a reunion. And the Bible tells us that when a person dies in the Lord, they depart to be with Christ, which is far better. It also tells us that we will be reunited with them. I know it is easier to say these things than it is to live them. But it is the truth. Heaven is far better than earth. (Phil. 1:23)
The Lord is SO GOOD. That He sent me this verse and commentary in the midst of my grieving. I miss my friend so very much, but am so Thankful to God for his salvation. My friend accepted the Lord just two short months prior to his passing from this earth, to be with the Lord.
After I had visited my friend at Duke (prior to his passing) I was driving home. It was a Sunday, I had missed church, I felt emotionally drained, and poured out. I had about half a tank of gas, but felt the urge to get off the freeway at a flying J (truck stop), I went back and forth in thought, "I've got 1/2 a tank, I dont want to stop, I can stop farther on" - 'no get gas now', so I pulled off, went to the truck stop, pulled up to the farthest pump on the left side. I started the gas, tired I went to get the thing to wash the windows, as I bent to pick it up, I looked up and saw a sweet little girl in the back seat of the car on the back right side of the pumps. She smiled at me. (oh how nice, I smiled back)- her daddy was pumping the gas. As I walked back to the car, I thought, "they are Christian, I need to see if they will pray with me"- WHAT? (do you know that feeling?) I debated myself again. Finally I agreed, 'OK, if their still there when I finish washing my windshield I'll go ask if they can pray with me'. Well, guess what??? yep, they were still there. Now dad was on the phone at the pump. Ok, ok, here I go.......
As I approach the passenger side of the car, there is another sweet little girl behind her momma and she also smiles at me. Mom has her window up, but rolls it down. I say, "I perceive you are Christian." She responded, "yes I am" I stated in a babbing way that I had been at Duke, my friend is in ICU, I missed church and have to drive back home (3 more hours). I told her, "I need someone to pray with me and burst into tears. She grabbed hold of my hand firmly, stating she would be glad to pray with me. I knelt right there beside her car as she began a powerful prayer. I can not recall anything about it, except that she prayed, "my sister needs you" I was so blessed by this woman that loves the Lord and interceded on my behalf. I thanked her, wiping away my tears as I walked back to my car. I continued into the store to get my usuall water and coffee. When I came out, they were gone.
I PRAISE GOD for HIS wisdom and perfect timing. That in a strange town, He provided me a sister in Him, that would pray with me. I felt refreshed and had no issue traveling the rest of the way home. As a matter of fact, I felt as though I was in His little bubble around my car. haha~ isn't our Lord good!!!
There is more to tell of His teaching me. The stretching and growing He has been doing in my life. And we know that NO stretching is comfortable. Yet He is there, and He knows what is best. I will continue in the next blog... stay tuned... haha :-)
Jeremiah 29:11
| For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. |
AMEN!
In His grace,
Kim
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