I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who have prayed for my health and left such kind messages for and sent such caring emails to me over the past few weeks. In addition to my battle with an old injury that has made blogging difficult, what most of you don't know is that I had a close friend tragically commit suicide.
So much has gone on over the last few months (and now days) that I have had little time to post due to the pace at which my life has been flowing, but I feel compelled to take the time now.
This is not the first friend whom I have lost in this manner, but I had so hoped I would never again see another friend reach that level of absolute despair, depression, and desperation. My heart aches that she found herself in that much pain.
Let me just say that one week before she died, she invited me to attend a banquet with her, and we had the most wonderful time together. She gave me that last gift for which I'm so very grateful, and that's how I'm choosing to remember her and how I think she would like for me to remember her.
I had no indication whatsoever that she was even contemplating something this drastic, and if there had been any way to stop it, you may rest assured that I (along with many others) would have done so because she was dearly loved. I will miss her warm friendship and her merry laugh more than I can ever begin to say in words. There simply are none.
But rather than focus on the shattering pain of such a loss, I prefer to concentrate on what I've gained from the experience. You see, it has turned my heart to the one thing in this life which means more to me than life itself, and that is my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, without whom I would be utterly lost.
Even through my tears over the death of someone I loved this much, I have been on my face in worship before Him, refocusing on what is really important in life: the Lord and other people.
This death, along with the deaths of three other friends this year, has brought me to the realization once again that life is fleeting, and death is certain for all of us. One need only look at the world stage this very spring to see how, in an instant, life can change and end abruptly.
In terms of my own life, the one thing I do know with all certainty is that, as a believer in Jesus Christ, home for me is ahead.
I believe with all my heart that my real home is Heaven, a place where there is no more sorrow, sickness, death, or pain, a place where God dwells in the richness of His glory.
And I want to go there and be with the Lord because that place is eternal, and He has prepared things for those who love Him, wonderful things that no mind can even begin to comprehend. And I do love Him, and in a day and age when followers of the Lord Jesus are particularly persecuted for their beliefs, I'm not ashamed to say so.
Just before Easter, when I was focusing on Passover and what that holy celebration means to the Jewish people, I was transfixed on how important it was for them in Egypt to cover their doors with the blood of a sacrificial lamb so that the angel of death might pass over them.
As I was dwelling on that thought, I was suddenly reminded of part of the communion liturgy: Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast. How many times had I said that and not really focused in on it? For believers, including myself, Jesus or Yehsua as He is known by His Hebrew name truly is the sacrificial Passover lamb whose blood covers the portals of our hearts and saves us from certain death.
God has provided a way if only we accept it for ourselves, and it truly was the most loving sacrifice on earth. And it's ours, if only we ask and believe.
As I've looked around the internet and read not only of my own dear friends who have died unexpectedly but the deaths of the loved ones of other bloggers and bloggers themselves, I realize that NOW is the time to live with the type of assurance that guarantees where we will be if we, too, find ourselves at the end of our days.
I want desperately to spend eternity with you because I love you so very, very much, and I hope if this has spoken to your heart, that you will ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you of any transgressions you have committed against God or against others, asking Him to cover you with His blood and believing that He will do it. He will. You only have to ask. And if the Lord can do it for a wretch like me, He will happily do it for you. Believe me, I have much for which to be forgiven, and He is so willing to do it not only for me but for you, too. For all of us who ask.
What joy there is in His presence, even in the face of sadness and loss, because He sends his Holy Spirit as our comforter. There is always fullness of joy with God. And He's the best parent, and Jesus the best friend anyone ever had or could hope to have. Now is the time. Now is the hour. If you haven't done so, I hope you will answer the knock.
Take it from one who humbly knows and who is so very grateful: you will never, ever regret it, and I won't, either.
I hope and pray that you know how much I love you, but even more so, how much the Lord does.
And thank you for sowing such joy and friendship into my life. I'm forever grateful for YOU!
Warm hugs,
Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)
My favorite scripture and the Good News: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world...
That He gave His only begotten son...
That whosoever believeth in Him...
Should not perish...
But have everlasting life!"
When Jesus came as a baby, there was no room for Him in the inn...
It pains me so much to think of that, so I have made room for Jesus in my heart's inn...
I know He would be ecstatic if others made room for Him in their hearts, too...
He never forces anyone...
He's a gentleman who believes in allowing you to make the choice...
It's ours to believe and ours to embrace, to open our hearts to His gift...
But while He doesn't force, He hopes all the same...
And so do I!
What a love story! The greatest ever told! His is a sacrifice I gratefully accept, and a story I gladly proclaim!
Loving you always and giving thanks to God for your presence in my life. Be blessed...
