Heaven Rejoices
Her hair was still thick and snowy white with a slight curl. Her cheeks were pink and her skin as soft as a baby's. Jean Gombert was lying in a comfortable bed in her room at Sumner on Ridgewood when I went to visit today. The room was lovely and photographs of family members were everywhere.
Jean was being kept very comfortable and in a "sleep state" through the wonder of medication. None-the-less, I always believe that hearing might be available and so I chatted about the glorious blue skies and the warm September sunshine. I reminded Jean that Jesus was right there with her. I spoke with all the authority of someone in the know that Gordon was waiting for her. I gently said, "You don't need to struggle or fight anymore, Jean." Then it was time for "us" to recite the Lord's prayer and me to put the sign of the cross on her forehead and remind her that she was a beloved child of God. I put on a CD of old favorite hymns, gave her one last loving touch and went on to "work" at Faith.
Imagine my surprise (shock actually) when about 15 minutes after I arrived at Faith, Jean's daughter Gail called to say her mom had passed away. I simply had no words for a second or two. Clearly I had no idea that those last few moments I spent with Jean would be some of her very last on earth. I would have never left her had I known that her passing was so near.
And yet, it was a wonderful reminder to me of a number of things.
First of all, Jean was not alone. Not at all. Jesus was with her.
I also pondered the fact that we as fallible humans cannot always figure out when death is pending. We had some warning about Jean's death, but did not know the day or the hour. Often we don't even get a warning, do we?
Which led me to thank God for the fact that the time doesn't matter. As it says in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (paraphrased) EVERYONE who believes in Him no strings attached! This is good news, the best news ever!
The good news led to a sense of celebration. Jean was home; she'd finished the race and won the prize and a marvelous new life in God's care was just beginning.
So in the midst of saddness and shock, some very real comfort and joy. Welcome home, Jean! Amen
