Soon to be ** Absent from the Body and Present with the Lord**

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight—we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:5-8

My friend, Julie, has been battling cancer for 8 years. With her liver failing, she is near the end of her battle. We have been friends for over 15 years, meeting while in college. She has a loving husband and 3 children (daughter—almost 10, son—7 ½ and son—2). Her life is a sweet testimony of the Lord’s grace, mercy and perfect peace. She said to me today that anything good that has come out of her life is from the Lord. Depending on Him for wisdom and strength, she can say with the Psalmist,

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (73:26)

She knows that Jesus Christ is her Savior and that she will be in heaven with Him when she dies. Our peace, comfort and hope come from knowing Him.

I am grateful that Julie is my friend. We have shared our lives with each other and I know mine is richer because of her. As you think of my dear friend and her family, please keep them in your prayers.