Last week I heard 3 deaths; one was acclaimed by the world, two were acclaimed by the Lord. I mourned over the death of Steve Jobs; to me, he was indeed a brilliant innovator and gave minimalist and simplicity their places in the world of gadgets.
The other 2 deaths were 2 Christian women that I know who have left an indelible mark in my heart; and it meant much more to me than just mourning over their deaths like Steve Jobs. As much as I am very saddened by their deaths, I am also glad these 2 godly Christian women are now with the Lord where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” Revelations 21:4. One battled with cancer, one passed on after her morning prayers with the Lord.
The cancer-stricken lady was the wife of my sunday school teacher-turned-good friend Henry. He wrote a very beautiful eulogy in her blog about her life. Though I did not have much interaction with liz when she was alive; I was very much ministered and moved by the sharings and slideshow during her funeral service. By the way it was called a homecoming service which gave death a different perspective and changed the way I view death too. Indeed it is going back home to the Lord. The tenacity of Liz, her resilience and strength, her positive spirit and her gift of faith in the Lord are just one of the many testaments of how death had lost its sting in her life, she has emerged victorious by living her life to the fullest and never once allowed the disease to consume her love for life. As we sang one of her favorite songs ‘Jesus I give you my life’, the lyrics meant so much to me now ~ “My soul contemplates Your glory, I worship in holy awe, In quietness and in confident trust, I rest in all that You are, I’ll sing to the world Your glory and grace, Until I behold Your face”. Isn’t this what the Lord taught me many years ago and I was determined it to be my lifelong mission? “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24. Obviously the wearies and distractions of the world have clouded my sight and I was so glad the Lord reminded me what my life should be there and then; in the funeral service, in the celebration and remembrance of another’s life and in the lyrics once again.
The other lady was our honorary steward in our church. She had no illness except some difficulties in walking. She always looked forward to see the Lord one day and her desire was to go back to the Lord while praying. In spite of her old age, Auntie Nancy never once spent a moment lesser with the Lord. She would spend time with the Lord daily and wrote down her thoughts and prayers and she would pray for all the leaders in the church, by name; and everyday on her knees. She never feared death and prepared herself 7 years ago. Her infectious joy and love for the Lord, her beautiful heart for people masked away the physical ugliness that will always come with old age. I only see beauty in her and nothing else.
Liz’s friend, in his eulogy said that Liz had taken an early flight home. We will see her one day in the final destination, where our home is. I also look forward to the day to meet my Father when I reach home. I know He will be waiting for me in joy. My earthly dad showed me a glimpse of that kind of love when he waited for me to come home from KL. It was past his bedtime and when he saw me come back, though he did not say anything, I could feel the sense of peace within him as he walked back into his room. I was deeply touched with his loving gesture as he is a man of very few words and expressions. If my physical dad is able to do that, I believe my heavenly dad who created me in His being will be able to do even more so and much more.
See you, Liz and Aunty Nancy, back home one day.
thanks for sharing