This post is dedicated to my friend, Barbara, who passed peacefully from this world this week. She is now in the presence of Our Lord.
God gifts us with glimpses of what Heaven will be like while we are still on this earth. He did when he allowed me time with Barbara. Although brief, the impact she had on me blessed and encouraged me.
Barbara was merely an acquaintance at first. I knew she loved music and loved to sing. We both sang in our church choir. Being a large choir, it takes time to get to know one another. One day we started praying for Barbara because she had a brain tumor requiring surgery. This was serious. The choir prayed fervently because we take prayer seriously. We know prayer works.
After a few months, a request was sent to choir members for volunteers to help Barbara get to and from church and choir practice. God knew what he was doing. He put Barbara and I in the right place and the right time, living only three minutes from each other. I and others gladly signed up to assist.
I looked forward to my time with Barbara. She always had a smile on her face, always had a word of encouragement. Even when words became difficult for her, her sweet spirit gave me confidence. We spoke frankly about what lay ahead for her. She was not afraid, but gave me a glimpse of both what she was experiencing during her time remaining here on earth and what we, as believers, will experience when God calls us home. As ill as she was, Barbara became the encourager and I became the encouraged. I learned she passed away this week, peacefully, with her family at her side. Barbara is now singing in a really large heavenly choir.
My time with Barbara was brief, but oh, so special. Thank you, Lord, for your gift of friendship, however brief it is.
Philemon 1:7 “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
Tagged: courage, hymns and music, prayer
