Saying Good-bye…

My heart is heavy today as I say good-bye to my dear friend, Alice. A few weeks ago, Alice lost her painful battle with pancreatic cancer and has left the earth and gone home to live with Jesus. It was a hard-fought battle that included countless visits to every lab and specialist imaginable; chemo, hydration, radiation, surgery, experimental drugs, cyber-knife radiation, and so many more procedures than I can recount. 

Part of me rejoices as I know that she is sitting – no, dancing – at the feet of Jesus. In life she had so much energy and spunk. Her fiery carrot-red hair, her energetic bounce in her step, and her unquenchable desire to share Jesus with everyone just couldn’t be contained. I am certain that she is rejoicing in her new body, free from pain and disease, with endless energy to dance and spring into the air as she revels in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The other part of me is heavy with sadness because she left behind so many people that loved her deeply. Alice has three adult children; a tender-hearted son, two beautiful daughters with husbands, an amazing grandson, and another grandchild on the way.  She also left behind her best friend and the love of her life, her devoted husband, John. John now grieves the loss of holding her hand and walking through life with her at his side after 33 years of marriage. 

Alice left behind a scattering of friends from many seasons of her life. Everyone loved Alice, and she loved them right back. Alice was what I call a heart friend. She didn’t just know you, she loved you with her heart. Even if you hadn’t seen her in a while, it was a though there was no gap in time. She had a special gift of making everyone feel so special, as they were her closest friend. It was rare to go somewhere with Alice and not run into another friend who gushed over seeing her. 

When Alice was young, she was a top-level gymnast in high school and college. As she shared her memories, her face would glow as she was transported back to her days flying through the air tumbling across the mat. Throughout her life, she continued to share her love of gymnastics as she coached other young gymnasts and cheer squads across the country. I vividly remember her joy as she celebrated the small steps that her young special needs students achieved. 

It was a privilege to watch Alice live her life for Jesus. She loved to share Jesus with everyone she encountered, whether she was teaching Women’s Bible Studies at church or just shopping at the market. As she fought her cancer, she was not bashful to share Jesus with her doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and even patients waiting for their treatments. Her eyes showed love and her message was one of hope. The hope that Jesus was the Truth and that He came to earth to die for us so that we could live forever with Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17 NIV

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV  

Alice knew that Jesus died so that we could spend eternity with Him. And that is where Alice is right now, spending eternity with Jesus. I am assured that when Alice ran into heaven, Jesus met her, took her in His arms, and said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!’’ Matthew 25:21 NIV. 

I will miss you, dear friend, but I know that God has promised that one day, I will be with you again. And when I run into heaven, you will greet me with a huge smile and a generous hug, and it will be like no time has passed. See you soon Alice!

Father, thank you for the gift of Your beloved daughter, Alice, in my life, and her touch on the lives of so many others around her. May I live to glorify You as she did. As we mourn her loss, give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding and the knowledge that we will all gather together in Your presence at the end of our days.  In Jesus’ Name – Amen.