Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14I had a friend who used to wear a tee shirt with a profound saying. On the front were the words “now you see me” and on the back “now you don’t.” It was accompanied by scripture rapture verses. The message was clear. We are on this earth for an appointed time, and then we go to our final home where we’ll dwell for all eternity. This week I’m thankful that when those around us go to their eternal home, God comforts their family and friends and gives them the strength to go on. On Monday, my friend’s mother died and I’ve been praying for her and her dad as they plan her mom’s Celebration of Life. There’s nothing like God’s comfort!
I still miss my friend and mentor, Janine, who died suddenly in the fall of 2007. I’m thankful for the years that I knew her and the times that we served the Lord together. Have you ever had a friend you clicked with so well that you easily could be yourself and acceptance flowed between the two of you? With such a friend you can share your heart and not worry that it will be used against you because of jealousy or fear. Jeanine and I prayed together, studied together, planned women’s events for our church, sought out the weary and downtrodden women and took them to lunch to listen and encourage them with the Word of God. Ours was a valuable friendship. I admired her and am so grateful now for the times I was able to verbalize my appreciation of her as a role model to women. Proverbs 12:26 tells us to choose our friends carefully. I found her to be the “real deal.” So did many other women; when she died, Gary had to rent the school gymnasium and then the facility wasn’t big enough to pay respects to a life well lived.
After work yesterday, we stopped at Home Depot before Bible Study. I hope I was gracious enough when we bumped into Gary and his new wife. He looked refreshed and very happy again and I’m thanking the Lord for his new companion to accompany him on this journey called life. On the way home in the car, I expressed my gratitude to our great God that though life has many challenges, He gets us through and we go on. I liked my husband’s reply: God is a restorer. He’s restored Gary and we know that Janine is peaceful with her Lord in her eternal habitation. And life goes on.
Remember to join us this thankful Thursday! Our God loves to hear our thankful hearts and we inspire one another when we thank Him. Thank you Lynn for hosting today. Click here.
It is so hard losing friends like Janine. But you have just the right attitude, I think. And although you miss her, you will see her again. I have to remind myself of that whenever I think of my mother in heaven. We get to spend eternity with them. What a time of catching up we'll have.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thankful heart you have and I was blessed here today!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us today!
Thank you for this beautiful post. I am the second wife to a wonderful husband who lost his first wife, a Godly woman to cancer. I always wonder when I am introduced to people who knew "them" what they think or how they really feel. GOD bless you! andrea
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet memories and a very sweet story.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend who was dying of breast cancer, it had ravaged her body for many years. Another friend of ours was one of her nurses when she was near death. One day before she died, she looked at her husband and said,"Honey, there is your new wife." She named her successor!! And their marriage is a very special reminder of the love this precious one had for her husband.
Beautiful post =)
ReplyDeletePeople come & go in our lives but they will always leave wonderful mem'ries in our hearts & thats enough reason to be thankful.
You're blessedto have known Janine.
God bless.
What a precious, precious post! Happy Thankful Thursday to you!
ReplyDeleteWe are just a vapor in this world. The Lord puts people across our pathways for His reasons, I'm glad He put You across mine. You are an inspiration and encourager to me, and if we lived close enough, I'm sure we would be great friends (I feel we are in the blogging world at least). I have never lost a dear friend, but I have lost both of my parents, who were very dear friends to me. I miss them deeply. April 2 would have been my dad's birthday and April 13would have been their anniversary.
ReplyDeleteIt's not very often you find the "real deal" and I'm God blessed you with Janine and the fond memories you now have.
Happy Thankful Thursday and God bless you dear friend.
Hugs,
Alleluiabelle
Thanks for sharing your lovely heart.
ReplyDeleteP. S. Thanks for visiting Reflections of His Truth today! Your comment meant the world to me. I enjoyed writing this post. Studying the Psalms is just precious to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have/had friends like that, praise dee Lord! Restoration is such a beeutiful thing, where would we be without it? Don't answer that. Let's just keep renewing our hearts & minds in Christ daily, and be open to the Holy Spirit's still small voice. What a MIGHTY whisper!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me @ lipsticknladdles.com.
ReplyDeleteIm glad you enjoyed the photos. We are planning to visit them in the Philippines this coming December. I am so excited!
Have a blessed weekend!