Dear Trekker,

I had no idea a month ago I would be writing a sequel so quickly. But God is good and He is never late – always on time! So “in His time” He took my precious friend wife, Barbara, home to be with Him on March 6 – forever safe in His arms. I don’t know how it is possible, but He has always loved her more than I ever could. She belongs to Jesus now – totally.

She fought a good fight these last few years. II Timothy 4:7,8 immediately comes to mind: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” Barbara identified with the Apostle Paul! Her life verse was Psalm 24:7! She lived the verse for 89 years: “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple.” An exemplary woman of God, she was a faithful, elegant army wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She followed me all over the world as a loving partner and homemaker, given to godly hospitality for family and friends. We had almost 65 years together. Yes, I feel blessed beyond compare!

In these latter days, a favorite quote of Barbara‘s from David Jeremiah (The Jesus You May Not Know, p 236) was: “Jesus has ascended into heaven to resume His place of royal authority, and because He is enthroned above, we should praise Him with all our heart, trust Him on every occasion, bring Him all our needs, wait for Him to work all our circumstances for good, press through life with endurance as we do His bidding and anticipate the day when we’ll see His throne and look on His Blessed face.” As I write, that is reality for sweet, loyal, loving Barbara. What a Proverbs 31 woman she was!

I have received scores upon scores of cards before and after Barb‘s passing into glory. I appreciate all of them so much. But one, trekker, was unique in his offering. Under the heading “…We Are Soon to Follow…” Ben Franklin wrote the following (a partial quote) upon the death of his brother, February 23, 1756:

“I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living.

A man is not completely born until he is dead. Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society? We are Spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may rid of them. Death is that way….and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him (her)?”

If you have read this far, you are no doubt thinking… “But how are you doing Jim? How are you handling the loss of Barbara?” The short answer… “I am surviving with difficulty.” As I said last month in MEN, I have prayed for many years that the Lord would take her first. I didn’t understand fully what I was praying! Now, the single life is suddenly reality. My love, lover and best friend wife has gone to be with the Lord. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away! Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

What an inspiration is the life of my sweet Barbara! What a source of strength is our children and large family (and friends) surrounding me.    I was telling a young female friend recently about Barbara‘s life as a foster child before we knew the name “foster” and virtually separated from both parents for long periods of time, etc. I said the acrostic describing her character was DOD… Determined, Organized and Disciplined! All in the spirit of love without complaint! My charge to my young friend: “If Barbara can do it in God’s love and strength, so can you!” So can I! So can you, trekker!

So, the main person of my life, apart from Jesus, but whom Jesus gave me, is gone. I will soon follow. And remember, trekker, our longest life span is a blip in eternity. Yes, Barbara Nadene Jentzen Meredith is “safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast. There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly her soul doth rest.”

Seeking now to rest in the arms of Jesus, your fellow trekker,

Jim Meredith