As I sit here at my computer contemplating the losses of 2020, and there were many, both losses of life and livelihood, I know for many of those who died knowing Christ—our loss is their gain.

Here we are early into the year 2021 and the losses continue. Today the sun is shining and the sky is the most magnificent royal blue. The temperature is in the 50’s and for a winter day in January, that is amazing. At this moment, a family is gathered awaiting the fate of their loved one who is in ICU. I am praying for a miracle, some sign of life so that this one who is loved deeply by her family and so many others might remain with us a while longer. We cling to this temporary earth even when we know that heaven is a better place and an eternal place. We struggle to let go of life, family, and friends.

As much as I will miss my precious friend and mentor of over thirty years, if this is her appointed day of departure, I cannot help but be envious—what a beautiful day to enter heaven. She lived her life to honor God, serve her family and others, share the truth of God’s Word (which she loved), and invest her life in the lives of countless women over the years. She was a wealth of wisdom and discernment. She was a treasure and a gift to me. She was my faithful, constant, and true friend. She loved me in spite of myself. She made me a better woman, wife, mother, and daughter. She believed in me when I did not believe in myself. She stretched me mentally and spiritually.

We often laughed that we needed to remain as sane as possible to make sure between the two of us we had at least one full brain from which to function. When she saw life as half empty, saying she was the “practical one,” I saw life as half full, I was the optimistic one. At times, she was right and at other times, I was right. She kept me out of trouble and I helped her to laugh and enjoy life. It was a sweet balanced friendship.

We have but one life to live, and in the painful losses of this life, that truth would be the great reminder for us all. My friend, Marge, did not waste a day of the life she was given. Her entire life was an investment in eternal things. When we spoke just hours before her fatal heart attack neither of us knew that it would be our last conversation on this earth. We had had lunch with another friend the week before to celebrate Marge’s belated birthday. Those four hours around the kitchen table and then in front of the fire sipping coffee, opening presents, talking about our families, and of course eating dessert, will be forever treasured because that is what life is all about this side of heaven. Life is to be lived and invested. Marge lived and invested her life. I cannot thank my heavenly Father enough for my precious friend and for her indelible impact on my life.

When I think of Marge, I think of the song she loved so much…Just Give Me Jesus. May the song of her life be my song and your song as we journey through until our appointed time.

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone, 
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die,
When I come to die,
When I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world, 
You can have all this world, 
Just give me Jesus.