I get an abundance of hate mail and have throughout the 16 years that I’ve written Words for the Day. I suppose it goes with the territory. It’s really not all that bad though, and I also receive my fair share of letters that make the task of writing it five days a week – year in – year out – all worthwhile. Yesterday was one of those days. Below is the letter I received.
“Dear Bob,
Just needed to share with someone who knows there is Heaven. I was with my dear friend yesterday when death came. She was told on July 4th she had stage four lung cancer and probably had six months to live. She didn’t. She had two months. But she loved the Lord and praised Him with her life and her entire being. About 10 years ago, when she finally realized how much Jesus loved her, she became a totally different person.
You know, Jesus does turn you around.
Anyway, she was struggling all day yesterday trying to breathe. She had asked us to pray for God to take her Home . . . she was ready. About five minutes before she left us, her breathing became peaceful . . . no more laboring . . . no struggles . . . no groaning. Just peaceful breathing. We were all there, praying. She then smiled . . . and was gone.
I think she liked what she was seeing. We both hate wearing shoes. We always kicked them off when we came in the door. I believe she saw the Gates of Heaven, kicked off her shoes, smiled and started praising The Lord.
Most people think we are a living body with a soul. But I believe we are a soul encased in a physical body. The soul is all that is important. My friend’s soul was at peace. I will miss her immensely, but I believe my tears are tears of joy for her. I can’t seem to cry to bring her back.
This morning, the school buses were still running their routes, the red lights still changed to green, it was still hot and muggy outside, the birds were singing and I stopped and bought my usual cup of Dunkin’ Donut coffee . . . yet my friend was not here. We are so unimportant to the world continuing to go on. The only thing that matters is if we live for Christ. I want to shake the world to make them understand.
I needed to talk about her and I needed to tell you that you are an inspiration to me. I am on your prayer team. I appreciate you and I love you, Brother. Onward, my friend.”
I responded to her:
“Simply beautiful. Take heart my friend, she is with Jesus Christ and she is living our dream. She will be missed by all who loved her but Jesus wanted to spend some time with her too and oh what a day of rejoicing that is for her and those who’ve gone on before her at this very moment. Grieve for yourself and your loss, but no tears for her. She is having the time of her life and soon enough, (compared to eternity) you will be again reunited and live forever in that beautiful paradise known as heaven too. I love you my dear! I just prayed for you . . . ”
I pray that my friend will be greatly comforted by the Holy Spirit and that His warming presence will encompass her from head to toe. The Bible tells us that this life is short and full of trouble, but that eternity is forever and full of joy, (assuming you belong to Jesus). Make the most out of today won’t you. Don’t waste valuable time bickering and fighting; Jesus died in order that we might live life more abundantly. Kick your shoes off and relax and bask in His Holy presence as you share with others the good news of peace and salvation and “Shake the world to make them understand”.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
September 4, 2014 – Click here to listen