“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.'” Revelation 14:13

Well-Earned Rest

From day 1 when Floyd got sick, I felt some specific instructions from the Lord:
– keep my eyes continually on the Lord, not on circumstances
– keep a heart of trust in the Lord regardless of what came my way
– pray, pray, pray

As days became weeks, I felt more instruction came to me:
– pace myself, this wasn’t going to be a quick turnaround
– keep hope alive in my heart
– as a statement of faith, keep things just as they were in our home when Floyd became sick

I kept his wedding ring where he placed it on our bathroom counter. I kept his Bible and reading material on the chest in our living room. I kept things in our home just as they were when he got sick. The only thing I changed was to get rid of the dog bed when his dog, Sossy, went to doggy heaven in October, 2018.

As weeks became months, I felt I was to continually check in with the Lord as to how to pray. I did that almost daily.

And as months became years, I felt the Lord say to me that I had His blessing to keep asking for, believing for, miracles—but that I should leave the choice up to Him. I prayed for “healing or heaven.” I asked the Lord for a healing miracle, but I told Him I trusted Him with whatever He chose.

As we all know, God chose heaven…and now Floyd is healed, too. He got both. People continually ask me questions about what this journey was all about. I have a few inklings of understanding, and yet I honestly don’t think I’ll fully understand this side of heaven. But—I trust! I trust God’s wisdom and I trust how He led me on the journey.

It’s been a journey unlike anything I could have ever dreamed of. It’s a journey I would have rather not gone on—and yet it’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything because of all the good that has come from it…most especially the closeness and intimacy with the Lord. He has been with me every hour, every minute, every second of the journey. I am so grateful!

After five years, three months, and six days—I moved Floyd’s wedding ring to a small container in his drawer where he kept some special things. The “unexpected journey” was over. Floyd was with Jesus! God chose heaven.

I miss Floyd now more than I thought possible—especially since I’d already missed him for over five years. My heart is especially tender this week as the Celebration of Life gathering is on Saturday. I’m glad we can celebrate his life, and I think it will help bring closure in some ways. I hope you can join either in person, or by live stream. I’ll be joining from Cape Town.

Thank you for helping to carry us on this journey with your love, encouragement, gifts, and prayers. I could never have made it alone.

Father, bless, comfort, and strengthen our sister, Sally, as she continues on a journey she never expected to live without her husband. Amen.