I stood in the purse department of Target, in the midst of a dreamy vacation, with the tears of reality falling from my eyes.
“Today I say, “Good-bye for now” to my sweet friend Virginia”
As I read, and re-read, and re-read those words again, the FaceBook status of a mutual friend was penetrating my heart, as I realized the reality that those words meant … a good and beautiful woman had died.
About five years ago, Virginia and I completed our SETA (special education learning assistance) course together. Both wives of pastors, both unashamed braggers of our children, both loved to laugh, both loved Christ. It was with Virginia, in the back row of our last course class, that I learned how to text!
Our good intentions to connect were always left with the phrase, “one of these days …” When our paths did intersect, it always felt like I was running into a best bud, from a previous life. That is how SHE made everyone feel … like you were the best thing God ever created! She did not just live out her faith, it poured from her, and there was nothing she was more confident of, than the saving power of Jesus Christ.
The earthly loss of Virginia’s life is a great one. She has a husband, three daughters, family, friends, and others who will miss what she brought into their … into our, lives. Earth has lost a gem! Heaven has lost a most effective ambassador!
As I finish writing this post it is Easter Sunday morning. This will be the first Easter that Virginia gets to fully understand the miracle of resurrection, for she died here, but awoke to heaven … she awoke to her Savior. This is the first Easter that she can hold His pierced hands, and look into His eyes of love … and understand that He … and she … are now among the fully living.
Virginia has now heard the words, “well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:31).
good-bye for now …
… one of these days …
“We do, however,
speak a message of wisdom among the mature,
but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age,
who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom,
a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it,
for if they had,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—“
1 Corinthians 2:6-9
itsawonderfilledlife 