This past October, an unusual hush hang over my home. Heavy-hearted, I quietly closed my bedroom door and climbed into the bed, then lay sideways beside my lovely wife. For a long moment, I blankly stared at her as I did not know what to say; I just watched her cry in her pillow. She tried to stifle her weeping, but it was her sorrow that could not hide from my eyes.
After another short moment, I swallowed the lump in my throat and gently pulled her into my arms. In my embrace, as I rubbed my hand up and down her back, she let out her sadness in sobbing, so deep, so loud that it pierced my heart. Her tears coursed down her cheeks and wet my shirt. I knew that what I needed to do was to hold her tight.
Her grief came from the death of her best friend Grace who died of cancer. Ruby and Grace both had attended the same elementary school in Hong Kong. After Ruby had moved to Chicago when she was a young girl, both of them had kept in touch with each other.
Before Grace had been diagnosed with cancer, Ruby had shared with her the Good News. But Grace had been unwilling to accept the Lord. After her illness had inflicted her for about 2 years, Grace had finally put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Ruby once again had seized a chance to preach the Gospel at her.
One night in this past October, we received a phone call from Grace’s husband about her deteriorating condition. Then Ruby and I prayed that the Lord may heal Grace, but it was His will to take Grace home.
Grace has at last peacefully fallen asleep in the Loving arms of the Lord. Her pain has gone; her soul is now dwelling in a room Jesus Christ has already prepared for her long ago.
John 14:2 - In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 - We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
