Sad But Joyous Couple Days...

I don't know about you but I love Facebook, it is a great way to keep in contact with friends and family who live out of state, and a great way to make new friends.  But most of all I love that I can post a prayer request and within minutes there are several people who are praying with me.

Last week I requested prayer for a sweet friend of mine.  She and her husband were charter members at our church in Springfield.  Shirley has had a time of it the last two years.  You see she had polio when she was a kid and was in one of those iron lungs.  She recovered with no lingering effects or so they thought. From what I have read 25 - 50% of patients later in life will be effected by a condition known as Post Polio Syndrome or PPS.  Unfortunately Shirley fell in that category.  She went from an active woman to wheel chair bound almost overnight.  But she never complained to any of us around her, maybe her close family was different but I never heard anything.  And up until she broke her hip a few months ago, she was at church every Sunday morning.  At times you could see she was so sick she didn't feel like being there but there she was with a smile on her face and love in her eyes.  See she was where she wanted to be, with her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ worshiping the one and true God.  

A week ago she collapsed at the nursing home.  They did CPR on her and brought her back but she never regained consciousness. Over the next few days she Coded twice but never responded to anyone.  After several tests and many discussions they decided to take her off life support.  That was on Tuesday and Wednesday she made her Heavenly flight.  There is no doubt in my mind this lady is worshiping at Jesus' feet and no longer needs a wheelchair.  Yes it is hard on family and friends and is sad for us left behind, but what joy knowing where she is.  And knowing we too can see her again if we have Jesus in our hearts.

How bout you... Are you Heaven Bound?

I am sure if she could Sis Shirley would be singing this song...

'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'                                                       Romans 10:9-10

until next time...nel