sweet betty bristol

“Betty asked that all her friends… throughout Richmond and the rest of the world, keep in mind the reality that she is no longer suffering from cancer or any disease and that she is “alive” in the truest sense of that term. Death did not end her life: it was but a momentary interruption and a change of venue to an assignment with her Lord that will never end.”

January 25

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

what a fellowship, what a joy divine,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarm

leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms

oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

what have i to dread, what have i to fear,

leaning on the everlasting arms?

i have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

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Betty went Home this morning. praise God.

the past few days i have felt truly honored, a word i don’t use often. i feel so richly blessed that i could see her so often in her last days, to get to know her family even better, to cradle her head close to mine and rub her back, to try and give her water… for her to wake up when i was in her room last night, even for 30 seconds. goodness, what a gift. what an immeasurable and extraordinary gift. thank You, Lord. i am so humbled and so in awe. You have drawn all of us so close through this time. we are going to miss her so much, but You are caring for her now, far better than we ever could. we know Heaven is rejoicing that such a faithful servant has come home and i just know she is beaming joy - to be in your company and give You glory. thank You, Jesus, for bringing her Home.

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January 24

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

i hear Your voice and i catch my breath

“well done, my child - enter in, and rest”

tears of joy roll down my cheeks

its beautiful beyond my wildest dreams

[and my soul is getting restless for the place where i belong]

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never will i forget this night.

the power of the Lord was so strong and present, and somehow peaceful. as a body of worshippers we lifted our voices, we sang, we wept, we prayed, and we rejoiced, though we knew above us our sister, mentor, mother, wife, and friend lay in bed at the mercy of a tumor that has grown so strong and so rapidly it looks as if it may burst.

we held her hands, we whispered our goodbyes and i love yous, astonished at how different this woman in this bed looked. once so energetic and radiant, she was barely recognizable, barely responsive. it was never supposed to be this way.

this is the closest to hell we will ever be. how great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the sons and daughters of God. this is not the end.

Lord, we are ready for our sweet Betty to go home to You, to dwell with You in her new and perfect body, and to praise You as she has her whole life. what rejoicing there will be.

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January 23

where it comes flowers grow

lions sleep

gravestones roll

when death dies all things live

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January 18