Home-Steeped Hope

I checked the Shoemaker Update Blog this morning, and discovered that our sweet friend of many years died at 2 A.M. today.

I’ve blogged about Gail at least three times here at Home-steeped Hope. Twice asking for prayer for her and her husband of thirty years, and their six children. And one other time, about her influence on me.

After nine months of battling brain cancer, Gail is now with her Father in heaven…pain free, able to sing and move without the aid of a wheelchair. No doubt hearing Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful daughter.”

I couldn’t sleep when my husband and I went to bed around midnight last night. I lay there with goosebumps and tears in my eyes, feeling an incredible sense of awe and picturing Gail’s entrance into Heaven. Perhaps somewhere in the lyrics of the Acappella song I shared yesterday, lay the seeds of my imaginings, for at this point, I only knew that her Heaven-time was nearing. Little did I know that she was only hours from riding that chariot, meeting Jesus, and sitting at the welcome table.

Please pray for her family as they are encompassed by all the practical things that must happen when a loved one dies. How blessed we all are, to have known and loved Gail.

My seven year old has been learning portions of John 14 for Awana. What a great passage, reminding us that Jesus has prepared a place for all of us who love Him. And that His peace accompanies loss.

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

And finally a quote to sum up how bittersweet times like these are:

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ~Carol Sobieski

Thank you, Gail, for your servant’s heart, and for your love for Him, so evident to all who knew you.