Rejoice? But in reality...

I received news from home that one of our pastors have been called home to be with our Lord.

For Christians, death means the beginning of a new life and we should rejoice because it means leaving behind this world, entering into a world of joy, streets lined with gold...but in reality, it is a difficult time. Especially the person who have passed on is still young, a great servant of God and have touched many lives. Leaving behind a young wife and a young son.

It saddened me even more knowing that I cannot be there to offer my support and encouragement. I can only grief with the family in my own little corner, in this part of the world.

How do you rejoice? Grief, close the chapter and move on...all these, easier said than done.

On the same day, a friend's mother was also called home to be with the Lord. This friend is not exactly a close friend but we share one thing in common, we all grew up from the same youth group and that made us share a common bonding. Because of this bond, most of us knew his mother since our teenage years. Many of us affectionately call her 'auntie Maggie'. She is a sweet old dane. Even at a ripe old age, she never failed to greet us in church and talked to my children. Yes, I, we will miss your sweet gentle smile, auntie Maggie.

Perhaps, these two persons deserved a much better place.

"For we know that when this tent we live in now
is taken down ~ when we die and leave these bodies ~
we will have wonderful new bodies in Heaven,
homes that will be ours forevermore...
That is why we look forward eagerly to the day
when we shall have heavenly bodies
which we shall put on like new clothes!"
(II Corinthians 5:1,2)


People said, one year is a short time but in this short time, so much have happened. Never knew that being away meant never having the chance to say 'farewell' to some of my friends.