TODAY ...

My mother-in-law Pat is dying from
lung cancer in Spokane, Washington.
Pat's hope in Jesus is strong -- her body and mind are weak.
Pat's smile is beautiful -- her words are few.
Pat's weariness is visible -- and so is her faith.

Pat doesn't seem to be afraid of what is happening.
I ask her about her feelings ...
giving her a chance to let out what
shouldn't be held in.

I ask Pat, "How close is Jesus to you right now?"
She replies, "He's so close that we are one ...
He's not leave me.
He's not forsaking me.
He's loving me into His presence."

I believe her.

Life ... when we choose to live it in the presence
of Jesus Christ, then starting the next chapter we call
"eternity" doesn't seem like such a huge transition.

God, teach me to live like I am dying.
Counting the cost of my words.
Counting the value of my relationships.
Counting the purpose of my life.
Valuing what is of Your Kingdom, and
letting go of what it is not.

Yesterday I read that Ruth Bell Graham's
epitaph reads ...

"End of construction -- thank you for your patience."

I think that had they had the chance to meet, that Pat
and Ruth would have been good friends. Kindred spirits
with their hearts and minds pointed towards heaven.

My wife Teresa, and our two youngest sons, Ian and Jesse
will drive home to Newberg today. But our hearts remain
here and I know that we'll be back soon.

Godspeed.

read.think.pray.live.

Gregg