On Wednesday morning, God called Tante Barbara home.  She was getting ready to attend our Wednesday’s Bible Study when she fell and slipped into the presence of Our Beloved Savior.  That day, she did not attend the Bible Study at Church; instead, she attended the Bible Study in Heavens, taught by Christ, the Living Word Himself.  We are saddened but at the same we are comforted by the fact that she is now among the beloved of God and with her beloved John.

On Monday I still talked to her over the phone.  Because she did not come to church, I just wanted to check in with her.  She told me that she had begun to lose her balance due to her inability to keep food down.  She looked forward to seeing a new doctor on Wednesday which she planned to see after Bible Study.  She hoped this doctor might be able to figure out what the problem was with her body.  We also talked about her singing with Tante Sophia on Easter Day; I told her that her voice was clear and audible.  Little did I know that it was to be her last singing in our church.  The next time we hear her sing again is when we get together in Our Father’s Reunion Hall.

Once again, we are reminded not only of the brevity of life but also of how little control we have over life.  We make plans but it is God who makes the final decision.  Each day is truly a gift, so cherish it, use it wisely, and present it as an offering to Our Heavenly Father.  Since she was little, Tante Barbara had known Christ Our Lord.  Her family was instrumental in taking her to church and introducing her to Christ Our Savior.  Early in life she knew about ministry which in the end helped her be Pastor John’s faithful partner in ministry for decades to come.  I was there when Pastor John breathed his last, with his head resting in the loving hands of Tante Barbara. Now I imagine it’s Pastor John’s turn to open his arms and welcome Tante Barbara into God’s Eternal Dwelling.  Till we meet again, Tante!

Pastor Paul