Julie's Home-Going

My dear friend Julie Durham, LITERALLY WALKED right into the presence of Jesus last Thursday evening around 10:30.

The phrase literally walked is significant because Julie has been bed-ridden for much of her 67 years. Born with Spina bifida, she has not done a lot of walking for most of her life. Surgeries, body casts, braces, and her wheel chair were her norm.

Julie became dear to me about nineteen years ago when her niece Meg married our son Lane. During these years, I’ve gotten to know Julie and have grown close to her. My love for her is equaled only by my amazement of Jesus in her.

Julie became a believer, accepting The Gift of her salvation during her teenage years. There was that one moment in time when she chose to look deeper than, and beyond her circumstances - simply choosing by faith to admit she was a sinner and that it was Jesus’ death on the cross that made her righteous before our holy God.

She had lots of reasons – earthly speaking, to complain. But I never witnessed discontent from her. At every encounter, I simply saw a big smile – and when asked how she was doing, it was always I’m doing good.

I’m sure there had to be moments of crying out in despair and asking Why? That’s ok, for who of us in her situation would not have cried out to God searching for answers?

But deeper than her earthly plight, was her spiritual faith.  She didn’t try harder to be peaceful and joyful – that never works. She simply chose to believe that God loved her and had a wonderful plan for her. She knew that plan would probably be revealed in her next life, the Real One with Him for all eternity.

One reason I know the reality of what she believed, is that it came from her own mouth on the day of her Home-Going. She whispered these words . . .

I CAN’T WAIT TO WALK! 

She knew what was in store for her the moment she would leave that confining hospital bed. There was eagerness in those words – and peaceful excitement.

I was at that “watch party” last Thursday, waiting for Julie to step into the presence of Jesus. There was so much love in that room. There was such comfort poured out by those close to Julie. There was sadness intermingled with joy at what awaited her.

 I noticed “her status” written on the board in her hospital room, and it caught my attention; 

Julie Durham – Comfort Care – DNR.

As I reflected on everything that directive held for our Julie, I KNEW that soon her reality would move to a glorious status - 

Julie Durham – Holy Comfort – RR (resuscitated and resurrected).

We will celebrate Julie’s life on Friday. Family and friends will join together in a grand celebration of the reality of what happened in that ONE MOMENT when she was “freed-up” from earthly bondage. I’ve envisioned her jumping, dancing, and running . . . all after she bowed before her Lord and Savior.

And you know . . . I don’t pray for Julie anymore. I don’t have to. She has moved off my prayer list. I used to pray for …

Physical comfort – that’s been taken care of!
Emotional joy – the JOY of Jesus took care of that one!
Faith, hope, and encouragement that she’s not been forgotten – all fulfilled!

The morning after Julie moved to Heaven, I celebrated with the song written years ago by Don Moen.

If you could see me now
I’m walking streets of gold
If you could see me now
I’m standing tall and whole
If you could see me now
You’d know I’ve seen His face
If you could see me now
You’d know the pain’s erased
You wouldn’t want me
To ever leave this place
If only you could see me now

One moment of BELIEF changes your entire future, and I am celebrating
that ONE MOMENT!


 

Cindi

www.frazzledfemale.com/blog

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