for a friend

We heard Don Piper (not John Piper) tell his story on the radio about how after a car accident, when he was already in heaven, people prayed and the life came back into his body. (Your comments are always welcome, but I do not intend to debate the veracity of his experience.) I turned to my wife and announced, "If I got to go to heaven and you prayed me back, I'd be awful mad." I know the day must come, and look forward to what awaits the other side of the transition.

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While the neighbors are away, we are taking care of their fish. Well one of those little guys got roughed-up by the filtration system and Mrs. Craver found him alive, but doing an abnormal back-float in the tank. His fins were shredded, and he couldn't swim properly. We told the kids that the frayed fins would probably cause an earlier-than-expected expiration date.

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Life is fragile. Every minute, we're losing sand from the top of our hourglass, and we cannot know exactly when it will run out. My friend Charity was given a painful reminder that the sand is running out, but I am praying that the Lord glorifies Himself through healing her body and extending her days.

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But again, what concerns me most about my own personal journey is not the destination, and I know this to be true for Charity as well. By God's grace through faith in Christ, the empty hourglass will yield more joy and hope than we can even comprehend.

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Charity is entering into a fight against cancer. The battle is a tough one and, among other things, it may cause this fragile flower to lose her petals and maybe she will begin wearing a cap. But in the hearts of her friends she remains as lovely as ever.

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Dear sister, if you feel like your fins are frayed, and get tired, afraid or discouraged, know that we will be here to pray you back.

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Original painting by Charity Singleton, used with permission.