One of the hardest things that I have ever done in my life was to visit a friend in the hospital who was dying of cancer on the brain stem and the liver. I had just recently started visiting her. She was in a lot of pain. I found out yesterday that she had passed away in the afternoon.

God, in His mercy, decided to call her home, and she does not have to suffer any longer. When someone close to us dies, especially a father or mother, sister or brother, wife or husband, the ones who are left behind also suffer. It is at such a time that our hope lies in the words of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who said, "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3 NASB)

I was looking out the window the other day and beheld the sky. It became dark, and spread towards me like a blanket, yet at the end there was light. In the quietness, I heard the Father saying, "Sleep for a little while, my child, soon you will be in my arms forever. I will remove all your pain, all your suffering, all your heartaches and tears forever. Go to sleep, my beloved, and when you wake, you shall see me face to face."

Revelation 7:16-17 – They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the centre of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes. (NASB)

Prayer: Father, it is so hard for us when we lose someone that we love so dearly. Be with us at our time of sorrow and grant us Your peace. Help us to overcome the fear of death, and when our final hour comes, raise us up to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Saviour, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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