So I just got back from Southern California... The trip was expected as a family member has had a lot of medical problems all her life, she passed away quietly in her sleep surrounded by family. This women was God's gift to earth and I will miss her dearly, I'm writing to you all today to share some of the thoughts that have accumilated over this last week. I bring this up to share about faith. Not, just any faith, but faith in God. The faith that comes from trusting that Jesus Christ has died for your sins and rose again to save us all from certain eternal damnation. Because of what Christ did, we can be saved and once we leave this world behind in death we have the hope that if we trusted in Christ we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. My Aunt had this faith. After batteling a rare digestive disorder from childhood that has resulted in dozens of surgies and countless medications... In all her suffering on this earth she always had a smile and was looking to help people. An active member of her church until she suffered a stroke that left her blind and crippled. Even in this horrific time she was filled with joy that comes from God, always pointing and giving credit to Jesus as the source of her hope and joy. Last month after 51 years of batteling this illness, her feeding tube was knocked out in a fall while being transferred to a different wheelchair. She refused the surgery to have it replaced, knowing she was ready to go home and be with Jesus forever. Knowing that her death was immenant she began planning her own funeral, she wanted it to be a celebration of her life and the good memories that were had, but most importantly she wanted her funeral to be another testimony of Gods greatness and the hope that can be had through Him. After I arrived in LA I joined other family members in thinking I would help in the planning of the funeral,, only to find that she had made every arrangement needed. So we took the time to visit and ebjoy each others company. Once we arrived at the church I knew this was not going to be an ordinary funeral.... There were colorful balloons, streamers, and rainbows... everywhere... She had even painted flowers and rainbows on her own casket in her garage before she passed. She wanted every one to know she was at peace with her savior and she was going to go claim the promise of eternal life with Him. The funeral was a time of celebrating her life, praising God for blessing us with knowing her and of course tears flowed freely as she was a truly remarkable person, and will be forever missed. I doubt I will ever see a funeral like this again... The Rainbows on her casket is what got me the most.... I'm getting a little teary again, so I'll stop for now and may add more later... Just wanted to share this with you all and I hope that if you want to know the peace that my Aunt had that you may look into contacting a local church in your area or even just sitting down and taking the time to read through the Bible, Christ can and will change your life if only you will accept Him and follow His word... Its time to dig in a read your Bible... I'd be happy to chat with any of you about Christ and how you can know him and spend eternity in heaven... This is real, not just an emotional game... I don't have all the answers, I can only try, but wanted to take this opportunity to share...May God Bless you and yours, cherish them because life is temporary and someday we all will meet our maker... Lets go and meet him prepared... I know I want to hear "Well done my good and faithful servant" from my maker... Do you?
My exact faith isn't the same as yours. But faith IS an amazingly powerful thing. I'm very very sorry about your loss.
Aaron, Your post was an inspiration to me. Your Aunt was a true lady, and you can be sure she is receiving her reward for being faithful. God bless you, and may your family find strength through their faith in the Savior.
Thanks for the kind words folks, its nice to have a place I can share my passion for nickels as well as chat about more serious issues that pop up in life... Thank you!
That's neat. Sounds like you have one fantastic aunt, she's just not here with you now. She sounds like she'll be one of the first to welcome you home when your time on earth is over... God Bless Ben
