I am often amazed at how God prepares our hearts for what lies ahead.
I bowed out of a trail run Saturday morning with some hilarious women because I was in the “Jesus Zone.” I was having some sweet communion with My Savior and just couldn’t bring myself to part from his presence. During my time with him, he led me to a book entitled, “Peace, Perfect Peace” by F.B. Meyer.
It is a short book. One that I finished in about an hour. Little did I know, that in less than twelve hours of closing the cover, I would need it.
I received shocking news later that day that my dear, sweet friend, Rob Murray, died suddenly. As I began to talk to God through the fog of my feelings, he reminded me of the words I read earlier, “The moment of absence is the moment of presence. As the spirit withdraws itself from the body, closing blinds and shutters as it retires, it immediately presents itself in the presence of the King, to go no more out for ever.”
Slowly, God began to raise the curtain of shock and sadness to let the light of his truth shine into my heart: seven hundred and twenty minutes before, he had prepared me for that moment!
My thoughts that evening would alternate between thoughts of how awesome God is and memories of Rob. I pondered the immensity of God’s love and care for his children. His well-timed provision, and His generosity in loaning the world Rob Murray if only for a while.
My friend, Rob, now knows the face of Jesus.
He has seen the throne room of God.
He has kneeled at the feet of the King.
And my heart, like Rob’s soul, takes wings under the realization that he is now home and he is happy. His love for those he left behind is “only altered in its brilliance and intensity.” He can now love perfectly because he is perfectly loved.
My hope in the days to come is that I can use the lessons that I learned in that small, yet profound book, to comfort those Rob left behind.
“In sore sorrow, He comforts best who says least, and who simply draws near, and takes the sufferer’s hand, and is silent in his sympathizing love.”
Jamie
Very lovely post!
Susie Mc Sellers
WOW, so fitting for me this week, as a co-worker’s daughter-in-law passed away, too soon I might add…and my husband’s co-worker went on to be with the Lord too. How comforting your post is…I plan to forward it to others.Thank you for your commitment to share what the Lord lays on your heart…..love you
Robyn
Sigh. It’s theraputic to read all these thoughts … I had my own processing session earlier! Thanks for sharing, lovely.