What will Heaven be like?
Last night at 10:45 p.m. my dear friend, Blaine, informed me that his wife, Kathie, died of heart failure at around 3:30 a.m. Kathie was a Christian. She has gone away to her new home in Heaven, where there is no more sorrow and pain for her.
I was blessed to know Kathie. She kept fighting as congestive heart failure took her away from all of us pieces at a time. It was a sad thing to see.
Kathie and Blaine let us stay in their home when mold in our apartment forced us to leave because I became so ill from it. We are blessed because we for almost a year now are in a beautiful home. God gave us much more than we had expected to receive.
While the process of death wore on Kathie’s personality these are the healing images I prefer to hold on to. A hug that folded you in and said you are a kind soul I want to know more, a woman of humour who made me laugh at her antics, a kindred spirit of caring for wounded souls.
Kathie was a volunteer at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Kirkland Lake. She had volunteered her time and given from a heart of agape love at The Salvation Army Kirkland Lake Thrift Store. She was a coordinator of the annual Christmas kettles. She coordinated games night at The Salvation Army Kirkland Lake Community Church.
I remember at my grandmother’s funeral service her minister said he had received all kinds of awards and accolades for his ministry work. Yet, my grandmother, Mary, in all her acts of kindness for others had a doctorate in practical theology. Those words from the heart brought me comfort as I grieved the loss of my grandmother with a heart as wide as the sea of Galilee.
For those times Kathie showed a heart for others she has her own doctorate in practical theology. She wasn’t perfect, but then again none of us are. We all seek by the grace of God to be perfected in love. In my heart and mind though, like my grandmother, Kathie has her own doctorate of the heart given to her by her Heavenly Father, who loves her and all of you with an everlasting love.
For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or friend, I offer this video of Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall describing what death is like. May it bring comfort to you.
The peace of the Lord be with you all.
Kevin
Posted on October 9, 2013, in On Circumstances and tagged agape, beautiful, Canadian Mental Health Association, comfort, congestive, coordinator, death, doctorate, faith, funeral, Galilee, games, God, grandmother, grieving, healing, Heart, heart failure, Heaven, Heavenly Father, home, hug, humour, ill, images, kindred, laugh, love, loving others, Mind, mold, others, pain, perfect, Peter Marshall, practical theology, sea, sorrow, spirit, The Salvation Army, volunteer. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Mind's Seat 
Bless you and Kathy’s family.
I receive that blessing for me and Kathie’s family with a thankful heart to you and my Lord.
Kevin
So sorry Kevin for the loss of your dear friend. I am glad though that you will see her again someday. I will pray for you, your family and your friend Blaine and his family during these next few weeks as you all deal with the days ahead. Blessings to you my friend.
Father,
Thank you for the fact that we know that even as we are experiencing the pain that is so deep as the loss of a loved one that you also have experienced this pain and that you are standing there besides us comforting us. Lord, we ask that over the next few weeks especially that you will hold tightly those that loved Kathie as they walk through this time of grief. Father, cause the memories to be filled with laughter and not regret. Cause peace instead of anguish Lord.
Lord, please be with Blaine, and his family in this most hard time, be with Kevin and his family as they walk with Blaine. Father, as we rejoice because we know we will see Kathie some day (soon) Lord for those in these families that do not know you and do not know the peace that we have in these times may they find you know. We know that we can know you and that you will welcome us into your arms, and into your family.
Lord, as Kathie is now worshipping you, and experiencing you in a new way we ask that you will accept her songs of worship. We thank you Father for your love to us and that while undeserving as it is You love us more than we can ever even imagine or give back. So, Lord bring peace to those who need it this day.
Amen.
I will be praying for you my friend. Be blessed.
Thanks for the touching prayer and your thoughts.
The Lord bless you with His peace and joy.
Kevin