A couple of weeks ago I lost a friend. A couple of you knew her and will recognize who I am talking about. But the rest of you will know someone like her and can learn the same lesson I did.
I met Bobbie, like so many other great people, when she moved into my nursing home. I recognized her beautiful spirit immediately and we soon became fast friends. Administrators are admonished not to get close to their residents but I always ignored such advice. Besides, Bobbie was different. It wasn't that she was abandoned by her family. Quite the opposite! The family and friends doted on her and she never wanted for anything. The thing about Bobbie was that she loved people. She didn't necessarily like everyone but the ones she did she had no trouble showing it. So she took a liking to me and I was grateful. That is because no matter how bad my day was going she always had a smile and kind word for me. She could always make me laugh and a fifteen minute conversation with her would make my day.
After I left the nursing home last year I continued to visit Bobbie and other residents, just not as often as I wanted to. Work has a way of getting in the way of what you really want to do. I had planned to go see her the day she passed but she had gone to the hospital. That one last visit was not to be.
But this story doesn't end there. No, something remarkable was to happen at a little church in the boondocks outside of Luling, TX. You see, Bobbie was a Christian lady and she loved Jesus! I knew she went to church when she could get a ride but didn't know where. I had met several of the church members when they visited but I had no clue until I walked in the church. The church was packed and, because I got lost we were late. But some folks made space for us. Members of the congregation were taking turns talking about my friend. But there were no tears! Laughter yes! Shouts of praise to the Lord, absolutely! They talked about salvation, how she loved the Lord, and how wonderful it must be! The preacher, an elderly gentleman, painted a picture of the glory of heaven and God. Then, as the service ended, the congregation sang "I'll Fly Away" followed by "When The Saints Go Marching In". It was no funeral dirge. They followed the casket out, singing, to the little cemetery behind the church. She was interred there, we visited with the family, then went about the rest of our Saturday.
The lesson I learned that day is something we Christians should know but choose to ignore. We see death for what we lose rather than what we gain. True I will never see my friend in this life. For that I am sad. But I do believe in the reward she has gone to and plan to join her one day. I hope that my funeral will be a celebration for my loved ones for that reason.
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