More of a Reality

I haven't posted in awhile, mostly due to laziness as usual. Well, the desire to write has returned...I only wish it was for a different reason. A friend of mine, *Maria*, went to Nigeria two months ago to do missionary work. She passed away two days ago from malaria. The words still don't seem to belong together. I wasn't even aware she was ill. She was supposed to be home next month, and a month after that would have brought her 18th birthday. I can't completely wrap my mind around what happened. On the one hand I know she won't be coming back, but on the other it seems like a big joke. When I say, "Maria's death," or "Maria died," it sounds like I'm talking about some other girl with that name.

This experience has sobered me. It's true that over the years I've lost a lot of my light-heartedness, but now even more so. This has showed me in clear lines that we cannot be guaranteed tomorrow, that whatever we want to do we had better do today. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes 9:10.

It also has taught me to never take offense. Maria was a strong personality, and sometimes the way she said things stung, even though she meant it in love. (I have been guilty of the same). Now my irritation seems so foolish. I would give nearly anything to hear her say my face looked unsymmetrical or that I shouldn't be eating at Subway again. She was probably right anyway. Yes, life is too short and precious to get angry...

More importantly, it has brought eternal things into sharper focus. It has made it, as it were, more down to earth. More of a reality. It was my goal before to reach the heavenly country, and now I have all the more reason to. As you can perhaps tell from what I wrote above, my relationship with Maria was not as smooth as others were, at least on my end. Yet, over the past few months God has changed my heart more, and I was really looking forward to her homecoming and getting to know her better. I had all these facets of truth that I wished to discuss with her, and I had even found a recipe for cake that she would have probably eaten. Well, that's not possible now, but if I am faithful I am confident I will see her at the last day, and then we have all eternity to become the best of friends-and we won't have to worry about anyone dying. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11. I pray that this may be your aim as well, and that death will not have to make it more relevant to you.

Through it all and above all, I have been shown that even though I can't discern it now, there is a reason for her death. God could have healed her-after all, He has restored people who were in greater troubles than she was-, but He chose not to. Therefore I conclude that He didn't allow this to happen to cause needless grief or pain. There is a meaning in this tragedy, and that comforts me. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [His] purpose." Romans 8:28. Yes, and not just for the one who passed, but for those who are left behind. May this promise comfort those of you who are suffering, too.

Blessings,
Adelaide