My world and how I see it

Yesterday my church got some really sad news that Mrs. Lib Sikes had passed away after a battle with cancer. I know most of you do not know her, but she lived a long and very good life, she was 89 and a wonderful, wonderful woman of God. I rarely missed a chance of getting my hug and kiss when she came to church. Her daughter June and my mom were really good friends and well, it just really makes me happy that one more person is with my mom in heaven because for sure, Mrs Lib is. HUGSSS June and Jay.. I know no words make it easier, but the tears turn into wonderful stories and memories that in time, will give you a sense of peace and comfort. I love you all very much and will be thinking about you!!

Then, this morning, I got this devotional (below) in my inbox and I again know that God, even through sadness and grief is still working and reminding us that we all need to be living just like Mrs. Lib did so that we can all see Jesus one day.

"A few days ago I started thinking about the mysteries surrounding the end of life. I believe I was prompted by hearing about the untimely death of someone who was living with cancer yet died in a car crash. We don't know how we will die, when we will die or where we will die. The only thing we know for sure is that we WILL die.

What will the end be like? As we go, will we wander down that tunnel of light some talk about or see a loved one already on the other side or be escorted by an angel? We don't know and yet it is one of those rare cases where we are glad we don't. (At least that's true for me.) Knowing, it seems to me, would be more traumatic than the actual event.

Yet I realized even as I contemplated these things that I wasn't thinking of it in the right way at all. What will the end be like? The real end is eternity, not death. If we know Jesus and have made him Lord we are talking about eternity in his company. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8). So much hinges on such a simple yet hard decision. That's one I'm glad I'm on the other side of. I may not know about the end but I do know my end. What about you?"

Death use to be something that really scared me. Not really knowing what or how things would happen I guess. But as she said in her devo and like my daddy use to tell me all the time, just as sure as you are born, you WILL die. There is no way around it. But it does not have to be something we are afraid of or something that makes us so paranoid that we are not able to function throughout the day. I know for a fact that Mrs Lib, my mom and dad and other, as much as they loved being with their earthly families, they looked forward to being with God even more.Death is not the end, but a beginning of a life that will be perfect. The things we stress so much right now, today, won't matter anymore but the deal is, are you ready? There is no guarantee that we will live to be 30, 40 or 50. We may only have one more day, maybe a few hours so how do you use them? And do you know where you will be when your end comes? None of this is meant to be morbid or sad.. nothing about living with Jesus forever is sad, but I sure do wanna make sure that me along with all of my family and friends that I love so much today are walking together as we go to see our Lord.

I love you bunches. Please be praying for the Sikes/Houston family as they are going through this difficult time. BIG HUGS!!!!!!

Until next time, Lord willing....