As difficult as it is to deal with the death of someone we love, the Christian has this important consolation: Death is not the end. Death is only the beginning of real living! Because we see things with human eyes, it is easy to think we are bodies with souls within. But is it not better said that we are souls with bodies? In light of eternity, our life in this body is but a "vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

...Just a little while, and we will be with our Abba Father. What a precious time awaits!

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:54-57)

Yesterday as we got ready to go to our midweek church meeting, I never imagined how the evening would turn out. I never imagined I would be holding and crying with a mother as she mourns the loss of her young daughter. Never thought I would find myself consoling my daughters over the loss of their friend. Life is so very fragile, and only God knows how much time each of us have in this world. I want to write about it, but words fail me now. I ache for her mother, Ruth, and pray for her constantly.