To Die Is Gain

Death can be a scary thing. It's something we don't ever want to think about, especially the death of someone we love, but at some point we all have to face it. Whether it was expected or not, it is crushing when a dear loved one dies. It is crippling and takes the breath out of you, making you feel like you don't have the strength to make it through another day. My former pastor, Blaine Farley, recently went home to be with Jesus. He touched my heart for eternity. He was always joyful and truly showed the love of Jesus to everyone he came in contact with. My heart breaks for his family, as I know that light that shone so brightly is no longer present. And even though it was expected, it is crushing. When we got the phone call that my sister in law Amy died, it was such a shock that my feeble heart did not want to believe it and when I got the call from my dad that my mom had unexpectedly passed away the crushing shock was present every single day. Each morning when I woke, my heart cried. But it did not cry without hope, as it doesn't cry without hope now for Pastor Farley. I KNOW that my loved ones are in the presence of Jesus, because of HIM and the love HE has for us. Because they accepted His gift of salvation and knew in their own hearts that they had a home in heaven one day. When I think of my dear Pastor Farley, I can't help but think of the words to a song I learned while I was under his ministry..."there is no peace, no joy, no thrill, like walking in His will, for me to live is Christ, to die is gain" That was my Pastor. He shone Christ's love and joy and the thrill of being God's child. I am so thankful for him and all he taught me and I'm so thankful to my Heavenly Father for loving me so much that He sent His Son to die for me so that I can have a home in heaven one day too, and see my loved ones again. My heart might be heavy, but I know that the death of my loved ones was only gain to them because of God's gift. I know that the peace and the joy and the thrill that Pastor Farley had here on earth cannot ever compare to the peace, joy and thrill he has in the presence of His Savior. That is our comfort. It can be your comfort too.