Precious*

I attended a funeral today for Caroline Scheurer, November 18th, 1943 to September 30th, 2014. Caroline has been wheelchair-bound for years. Exactly how many, I am not sure. She had to have help to do most things we take for granted, yet she was always positive. I know God works in our hearts, because how else do we keep a positive attitude in the midst of trials. As I believe, she is no longer bound by disabilities. I have so much respect for her husband James who has attended to her for some 20 years since her heart attack and stroke. We will never understand why some go through so much on this side of heaven. But God sees and cares and gives the strength when needed. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints." Psalms 116:15 I do not know if I even understand on this side of eternity what that means. I do believe God is with us to the very last breath. He will never leave us, his word tells us, lo I am with you always.  We are precious in God's sight. He has our best interest at heart, even when we do not understand. Caroline experienced the death of a child, as did Cousin Marvin. I could tell there was still a lot of feeling when Marvin was talking about his child he lost. Why we never understand why some go through so much. We complain about our discomfort and when you see someone like this that had 20 years of suffering. I feel so shallow. Was it to be an example for us, to remind us to be thankful for all the goodness we take for granted? It rains on the just and the unjust. Some times it just seems unfair, but the just have someone watching over them to the very last. I believe they do not stub a toe without God being aware.  As I think of all she endured, and the years confined to a wheelchair with a good attitude. There were times when I saw a spark of sassiness. I thought of the son-in-law's name for her, the boss. A precious Saint has reached eternity. This short time of suffering will soon be forgotten in the great span of eternity. It will seem like a moment or perhaps the pain of a paper cut in comparison. James is precious in God's sight, he was married for 41 years and took care of her for half that time. Some say there are rewards for faithful service. I wonder what those rewards look like? I do not know all the answers, but God says she is precious in his sight.  Some day we may have these answers if we also are found faithful and perhaps understand. Then again we may not even care about the answers when we get there. Some have so much good in this life, do we squander it on ourselves? Caroline would rock needy babies at the hospital when she was able to.  Probably would have been that caring her whole life if she'd been able too.  May God comfort and sustain James during this time. God bless, LVZ.