[ampaterry]

Thank you for the support, guys - it bolsters me first thing in the morning!!

For today, an incident I read about some time ago:

Eric Barker, a missionary from Great Britain, spent over 50 years in Portugal preaching the Gospel, often under adverse conditions. During World War II, the situation became so critical that he was advised to send his wife and eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children were also evacuated on the same ship. Although his beloved relatives were forced to leave, he remained behind to carry on the work. On the Lord's Day following their departure, Pastor Barker stood before his congregation and said, "I've just received word that all my family have arrived safely home!" He then proceeded with the service as usual. Later, the full meaning of his words became known to his people. He had been handed a wire just before the meeting informing him that a submarine had torpedoed the ship and everyone on board had drowned. He knew that because all were believers they had reached a more "desired haven." Although overwhelmed with grief, he managed by the grace of God to live above the circumstances and to stay on the firing line for Jesus. The knowledge that his family was enjoying the bliss of Heaven comforted his heart.
All of us have suffered losses, although few as great and sudden as Brother Barker’s. The way we handle such losses is not so much a reflection of how much we will miss the loved ones as it is of how much we love and trust Jesus Christ to care for them where we cannot see for now.

Guys, I pray that we will all pass such tests - -

2 Corinthians 5:1(TLB);
“For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”

Philippians 3:20(Gods Word Translation);
“We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.”