(8)... and let me rest in peace.... (8)

I am dedicating this entry to a friend that passed away recently due to (lung) cancer. On a global mean, I would not say her life was either long/short, but pray God will use this experience to impact others to further expand the Kingdom here on earth. Everybody experiences pain in their life at some point so I leave you also with some encouraging words from one of my Pastor's sermons: "Sometimes like James, we are called to 'suffer well...'"

Here is a 'hymn' from one of my textbooks I read in honour of this sister in Christ:

GO SILENT FRIEND

Go silent friend,
Your life has found its ending;
To dust returns
Your weary mortal frame
God, who before birth
Called you into being
Now calls you hence,
His accent still the same.

Go silent friend,
Your life in Christ is buried;
For you he lived
And died and rose again.
Close by his side
Your promised place is waiting
Where, fully known,
You shall with God remain.

Go silent friend,
Forgive us if we grieved you;
Safe now in heaven,
Kindly say our name.
Your life has touched us,
That is why we mourn you;
Our lives with that you
Cannot be the same.

Go silent friend,
We do not grudge you glory;
Sing, sing with joy
Deep praises to your Lord.
You who believed
That Christ would come back for you
Now celebrate
That Jesus keeps his word.

[David Sherbino, re: connect. Spiritual Exercises to Develop Intimacy with God, pg. 71]