Her Life - a jewel in His crown

"She died on Sunday morning.I thought you knew.I am so sorry..."

Instead of shock, I felt God's overwhelming peace.

I had visited her in hospital the end of last week. As she sat propped up in her hospital chair she was frail and just a gaunt shadow of the energetic and glowing woman I had known these past twelve years. Her hands were swollen and she felt ice cold as I held her hand between mine. The physical deterioration in her had been so rapid since the onset of her cancer in May. The specialist nurse walked in and wanted to start her procedure.... one of inserting a tube into a deep vein in my friend's arm that would feed into the heart chamber... and I knew it was time to leave. Now, she was reaching the end. Her frame was a skeleton of her former self as I hugged her, knowing this may be for the last time. Her final words to me were: "I will keep you in my heart".

Back in the hospital car park, I sat and first said a prayer. I asked Our Father to take her home and grant her the rest that she now deserved, rather than prolong the suffering that she was clearly experiencing. Moments later, I started the car engine and drove home knowing that this dear, dear friend who had acted as a second mother to me, was finally going to be in the arms of Jesus.

In the days since that visit, I reflected on the great impact and influence that she has had on my life.....my teacher and my mentor. Every area of contact, every visit, every card, every phonecall, every conversation - she was the one person who always fed scripture and Christian teaching into my life. I knew that every encouragement was always backed with intercessary prayer. For twelve years, God brought me into a relationship with her, for a season in my life. A season that He has used to grow me and develop me. Many are the blessings that He has given me through this friendship shared with my dear friend.

I realise now more that ever, that to be a jewel in His crown as she has been, means loving God with all your heart and being refined by Him to be more like Jesus everyday. When God lives in you and His love shines through, you become the light in this dark world.
Friends, when Jesus spoke again to the people, we read in John chapter 8 verse 12: he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Praise God for my friend and may she now remain in His rest until Jesus comes again.

Amen.