What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Another Friend Enters Heaven's Gates


Today another of my dearest friends entered heaven's gates.


My dear friend Judy, in this picture above, the last time we were together in person, at my son's wedding in the fall of 2017. She and her husband Russ moved away from Florida to their dream retirement home in the hills of northeastern Alabama the following spring. We've chatted several times since then, and talked about us traveling up to visit them in their new home, but just haven't had the opportunity to do so. The last time I spoke with Judy was in October, on her birthday. She was happy and loving their new home, and proud that Russ finally had his tractor and could ride all day on their 10 acres of woods and fields and hills. She had a lovely little porch with a swing and a secluded garden area where she could enjoy the birds and flowers and spend time in prayer and communion with the Lord. Their adult son was living with them and helping them get settled and they were enjoying having him with them after his years in the Marines away from home.

We've been good friends with Russ and Judy for over 40 years. Our children used to play together as young children, and their oldest child, Jennifer was such a beautiful, gifted and precious Christian woman. Sadly Jennifer passed away after a long battle with cancer about 4 years ago...just about a year after our middle son Matthew had also passed away from cancer.  Jennifer left behind a lovely family with two beautiful young daughters and a loving husband.  Our son also left behind a wonderful son and loving wife.  So our families had the grief of losing a beloved child in common, and we two mothers often shared our deepest thoughts with each other of what it felt like to lose a child. It is a kind of bond that no mother ever wants to have to develop.

Sometime after Thanksgiving of this past year we received a message from their son that Judy had suffered a mild stroke following some kind of ordinary procedure that should not have had any such risks. She was in the hospital, having difficulty with her speech and right hand. But her prognosis seemed hopeful at the time. However, as the days and weeks went on apparently she wasn't progressing as expected, and was not able to eat.  A temporary feeding tube was installed, and they were still hopeful she would be going home soon. Her son gave up his job to be there to help take care of her.  But apparently Judy wasn't getting better, and today Jesus called her home.  Her son sent us the heartbreaking message that she had "peacefully left this earth to be with my sister in heaven....She is no longer in pain and no longer suffering. We are relieved that she can finally rest now." 

I really am at a loss as to what to say and how to feel. The last I heard she was going home. And indeed, she has "gone home"...to her heavenly home where she will never weep again...and I can only imagine the joyous reunion she is having with her beautiful daughter and with the Lord right now.  But in some ways I am very sad, and in other ways I am so happy for her...and maybe a little envious. My heart breaks for her husband and son and granddaughters and other loved ones who are also in shock and missing her now.

Maybe I wouldn't be so sad if it hadn't been for the fact that in the past several months I have now had my oldest brother Russell (not the same Russ as seen above) and three very dear "girl" friends leave this earth for heaven. Two of my friends were both named Sharon, and now Judy.  These are the special kind of friends whom you know you can trust with your deepest hurts and secrets and know that they would love you no less and would guard and protect you no matter what others may whisper behind your back. And they would never be the ones to whisper. Women of wisdom and deep character and devotion to the Lord.  These kinds of friends are very hard to find, and then to see them leave this earth all within a few months of each other...each one with their own difficult physical issues and heartaches...and yet they left this earth ready to meet Jesus with no fear. None of these women knew each other here on earth, coming from different parts of the country and from different time frames in my life so that they never had the opportunity to meet...(I take that back...one of my "Sharon's" was also at my son's wedding at the same time as Judy...but I don't know if they got to meet each other). Perhaps they will all find each other now in heaven and get acquainted. I know they would love each other as I loved each one of them so very much.

I recently sent Judy a card and a little note with some words of encouragement and prayers for her healing and comfort.  I don't know if she was even able to read it but now I pray that her husband and son will read the verses that the Lord led me to share. Perhaps this was for them after all:

"Fear not, for I am with you;
 Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

This morning I started the day with the sunrise on Still Waters Pond and the little song "Arise, Shine, and Give God the Glory, Glory".  Tonight I end with the sunset on the same pond, and the comforting words of Christ as He prepares His disciples for His death and resurrection:


"Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, there you may be also.
And where I go you know, and the way you know."

Jesus said, 
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:1-4, 6

And these following words I have marked in my Bible that I read on the day that my son died...

"I will not leave you orphans;
I will come to you.
A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, 
but you will see Me. 
Because I live, you will live also."
John 14:18-19

I can think of no better words than these above to close this message today.  Tell your friends and loved ones that you love them and appreciate them now, while there is yet time.  None of us is promised tomorrow.  Good Night my dear friends.

26 comments:

  1. My heart breaks at the loss of your friend. I can certainly understand at this point in my life.

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    1. Yes, Linda, I know you are all too aware of this, and I pray for you and your family right now as you are walking through deep waters. You know the Lord is with you and your precious husband, but it is still so hard to "let go". Praying that God will be very present in your life and give you strength and comfort for the days ahead. (((hugs))) to you this morning.

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  2. I am so sorry to learn of your loss, Pam. It is never easy and made harder when we don't get a chance to say good-bye. You were in her heart just as she is in yours. I will keep her family and friends in my prayers. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Terri. Yes, I wanted so much to talk to her over this past month or so that she has been in and out of the hospital, rehab, and ICU. I was so hoping she would be going home and we could go visit her eventually. But that is not to be...but we do have heaven to look forward to. Praise God!

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss, Pam. Keeping you and Judy's family in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you so much Jan. It is hard to get older and see our best "old" friend going to heaven before us. But we do have heaven and all of eternity to look forward to, thanks to Jesus!

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  4. I am so sad for you. Prayers for you and for all of Judy's family and friends. Most of my close friends I have known at least 50 years. It's not the norm anymore, but I am so grateful.

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    1. Thank you, Buttercup! I appreciate your kind words here today, and welcome to my blog! Yes, I love the old little chorus we used to sing in Girl Scouts, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold". I love making new friends, but I sure do hate to see my "golden friends" slipping away. However, I know where they are, and one day we will be reunited for eternity! That is our hope through Christ. Praise God!

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  5. I am sad for the loss of your precious friend. I know that you rejoice that she is with Jesus (and her daughter), but I also know you are sad because you will no longer talk to her here on earth. May the Lord be close to you and all of Judy's loved ones as you grieve.

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    1. Thank you, Patti. Yes, even though we didn't talk very often, we always knew that we were there for one another at any time. As a matter of fact, after my last call to her, she called me "by accident" one day, thinking she was calling another number and it turned out to be me. She was surprised, and I told her then perhaps God wanted us to talk that day...and our unexpected conversation was such a blessing to both of us. That was actually the last time we spoke, and it was no accident. I am thankful for that last visit, and wish I could remember more of what we said, but I do remember that we both knew it was no accident. God's perfect timing. Thank you for your kind words today.

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  6. perhaps they were taken from the troubles to come.
    Sorry for your losses. God will comfort you :)

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    1. Yes, perhaps that is so, Annie. I believe that God sees all and knows all and He has His purposes for what He does and when. We must trust in His divine wisdom always. Thank you.

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  7. I too am saddened by your losses, yet we know that they are now rejoicing and one day we too shall rejoice with them. Hugs to you dear Pam. xx

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    1. Thank you so much. Yes, we have so much to look forward to one day in heaven with our Savior. Seems like God calls home the best and sweetest to help prepare the way for the rest of us someday.

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  8. That hurts. Let's us remember John 14:18-19 often and read and study it.

    C.H. Spurgeon:
    You want Him. You need Him. Younrequire Him. Therefore plead the promise, and expect its fulfillment! And oh, when He comes, what anjoy it is! He is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber with his garments fragrant with aloes and cassia! How well the oil of joy will perfume your heart! How soon will your sackcloth be put away, and the garments of gladness adorn you! With what joy of heart will your heavy soul begin to sing when Jesus Christ shall whisper that you are His, and that He is yours! Come, my Beloved, do not tarry! Be like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of separation, and prove to me Your promise is true, “I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you.”


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    1. Oh this is so beautiful Aritha. Thank you for these most comforting words from one of the great preachers of God's Word for all time. This was really beautiful in every way. Thank you.

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  9. Heaven is drawing closer. Thank you for your thoughts.

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  10. My deepest condolences, Pamela...

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  11. I am so sorry, Pamela. May God bless you, and Judy's family.
    Linda

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  12. Oh, Pamela, I'm so deeply saddened by the loss of your precious friend, Judy. May God comfort you and her family at this time of grief.
    Blessings!

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  13. Pamela I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you as you walk this journey. I hope the coming days are filled with joyful memories of your dear friend. I know the Lord will comfort you.

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  14. A lovely post, Pam, honoring your friendships with some wonderful women of God.

    And now our nation (the basketball fans, anyway) is plunged into sorrow with the news of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash. May people wake up to realize they cannot ignore these messages from the Lord that they need to deal with Jesus. What a merciful Father we have to seek the salvation of more because He is not willing that any should perish.

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  15. So sorry to hear about the death of your dear friend, I know you will miss her. One thing for sure, she is not sick any more but resting in the arms of Jesus. Hope your precious memories will bring you comfort. ((hugs))

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  16. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Judy. There seems to be something that happens to us when we reach a certain age. We appreiciate those close to us more and are deeply saddened when they leave us. May God hold you in the palm of His hand as you process your thoughts about this dear friend. Peace and blessings.

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    1. Yes, I agree, Cecelia. I believe the closer we all get to heaven, the sweeter our fellowship is with one another. And, I've realized as I am getting older that my friends are also getting older, and therefore we are all getting to that stage in life where we know we will be headed "homeward" soon. My Daddy used to say when he was in his late 80's early 90's that the only time he'd see his friends was when he went to their funerals. It was sad for him to see so many go before him. He lived to almost 93.

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